#tick tock is also an acceptable answer

[nerdyenby]

What’s your favorite episode of ninjago and why is it snaketastrophe?

[arealphrooblem]

Hi!! First off I just want to say that this is my new favorite writing blog on tumblr!! I'm so grateful for whatever strings the universe pulled that led me here. I'm literally addicted to every single thing you've written here. I swear I've read Mutually Assured Destruction like ten times within the past 24 hours.

I was wondering, if you find the free time and the inspiration, if you could write a villain x medic/civilian snippet? Maybe Medic accidentally witnessed villain's crime so villain can't let them just wander around freely since medic works for the hero agency, but also doesn't want to kill medic since medic is useful?

Thank you so much! I've always loved the idea of Villain x Medic so here you go!

CW: Kidnapping

“You know my face.”

The medic knew this day would come. Still, they froze in the doorway of the living room, keys dangling in their hands, blood frosting over in sheer dread. The villain sat with their legs crossed in the medic’s favorite armchair, the fire place unlit. The room in semi-darkness, the only light a glow from a street-lamp.

They didn’t ask how the villain knew their address. They should have taken Hero’s offer to leave under witness protection, but their whole life was built here. They couldn’t just leave and start over.

“I haven’t revealed it,” the medic said.

“Yet,” the villain amended. “I’m sure you would for the right price. Or under the right pressure.”

“You don’t know that.”

“I don’t. But I am not going to risk it.”

The lamp beside the couch switched on. The medic flinched away from the sight, eyes trained on the coat rack by the door. As if mattered anymore if they saw the villain’s face again. As if they hadn’t doomed themselves the first time.

Footsteps creaked over the old wood floors. The medic took slow deep breaths, holding it for four counts and releasing it. A trick they had taught people afraid of IV needles to calm their racing heart.

The time to run had long since passed. And even if it hadn’t, the villain most definitely had people outside lying in wait for such an escape.

Hands that tipped the medic’s chin to meet that dangerous gaze.

“You’re going to kill me,” the medic said. It was not a question.

An eyebrow raised. “You sound very calm about that.”

“My career has taught me how to recognize and accept things that aren’t in my control. Right now there is nothing I can do to stop you.”

“This is true.”

The villain studied them, thumb brushing absently against the curve of their bottom lip.  The darkness of their eyes felt unfathomable, like the Marianas Trench. Like the deepest part of the ocean, full of wonder and terror.

“I am not going to kill you,” the villain said finally. “I owe you my life. And I always repay my debts. But you know my face.”

The medic swallowed thickly against the barrage of options that opened up. The villain could blind them, torture them into insanity, cut out their tongue. All of the above. The villain’s hand slips across their cheek to cup the back of the medic’s head. A possessive gesture, they noted with a shiver.

“You are coming with me. Whether it be conscious or unconscious, I leave up to your . . . control.”

Relief warred with new fear. “Where are you taking me?” they asked.  “What happens to me when we get there?”

“Questions I will happily answer in the car,” said the villain, their hand sliding down the medic’s 

neck before retreating. “Hand me your phone and your keys and then go pack your things. You have ten minutes.”

The medic stood rooted to the spot. This was real, this was happening. And it yet it still felt like a bad dream. Ten minutes to pack their life up? Ten minutes?

“Tick tock, darling,” crooned the villain, holding their hand out.

Numbly, the medic dropped their phone and keys into the villain's hand and took robotic steps towards their bedroom. Clothes were easy to grab and stuff into the suitcase. As were their birth certificate and other identity papers. Personal items, less so. Medic spent precious minutes at their bookshelf, picking a well thumbed classic from their childhood, their most referenced medical texts, and a novel they hadn’t started yet.

The pressure of time throbbed in the back of their head, making it difficult to think rationally about what they needed. They ducked into the bathroom, grabbing their contact case and solution, their toothbrush. Then they stood in the middle of their bedroom, frantically trying to think of what they couldn’t live without.

“Times up.”

The villain’s voice came from behind, causing the medic to jump out of their skin.

“Zip it up and let’s go.”

The villain’s car lay hidden in the shadows of the back alley. A dangerous looking driver waiting for them, their cigarette glow the only light. The villain opened the backseat of the car for Medic with a mocking flourish.

It was their last opportunity to run, but the medic knew a shot in the back waited for them if they tried it. So, dread sitting heavy in their stomach, they climbed in. The villain took the seat next to them, giving out curt orders to the driver in a language the medic didn’t recognize.

 The nagging horror that the medic forgot something important haunted them. They leaned their head against the window, mentally walking through their house, trying to remember. But the fear churning in their blood made it so difficult.

“I’m taking you to my compound,” said the villain, almost conversationally. As if detailing the itinerary for a date. “I have a room set up for you, as well as a med bay. You can resume your work taking care of my mercenaries.”

The medic listened with half an ear, watching the wave of street lamps pass them by. What were they missing?

“No objections to that?” the villain asked, bemused.

They passed a park, one the medic had many birthday parties in as a child, and the sudden zing of memory made them gasp.

“Stop! We have to go back!” they cried.

The driver didn’t so much as flinch.

“Go back?" The villain laughed. "Too late for that, doctor. You should have protested before you climbed into this car."

"I forgot something!"

"Whatever it is can be replaced," the villain said with a dismissive wave of their hand. 

"It's not replaceable. Please."

Desperation clawed at their throat but the villain remained unmoved.

"If it were so important, one would think it would be the first thing you packed, not the first thing you forgot. You will have to learn to live without it."

The medic closed their eyes the rest of the journey. They couldn't bear to look at Villain's face.

"Do you regret it?"

The villain sat upon the examination bed, looking almost innocent.

It had been a week since the medic was taken. Their life had changed so drastically that the normality of the med bay, of the tools they had spent years around, clanged like a discordant note. They threw themselves into their work, demanding physicals for the Villain's mercenaries to establish a baseline of health. These people, so used to sewing their own wounds, grew awkward around the medic’s soft and attentive care. Some refused to come. 

The villain showed up last, a new laceration on their ribs. They sat, spine straight and unflinching as medic carefully cleaned the wound and bandaged it. 

"Regret what?" the medic asked. 

" . . .Saving my life."

Their hands stilled for a moment, hovering over the wound. It was a tricky question and the medic wasn't sure how to answer it honestly. 

"I would have regretted the person that I'd become if I had let you die," they said finally. 

"Oh? Most people would consider it a net positive, preventing all my future damage."

"It's not up to me to decide who deserves to live and who doesn't."

"I beg to differ. You hold people's lives in your hands every day. Who else, if not you?"

The medic glanced up at the villain, who stared at them with open-faced fascination, rather than the usual dispassion. 

"I don't think any one person should have that power," they said pointedly. 

The villain smiled, a slow curving movement. "A pity. You could be terrifying indeed."

The medic swallowed something strange dancing in their gut. "You're lucky I'm not." 

"Indeed I am."

They finished the examination without further conversation. The villain watched with quiet fascination as the medic sterilized their tools, folded unused bandages away, updated the Villain's medical records. 

"What did you leave behind?" they asked softly. 

"My life," the medic said, tersely, as they tapped on the keyboard. 

The villain was undeterred. "What did you remember in the car?"

The medic paused at that, unsure if they should answer. They didn't want the villain's mockery over it. But lies rarely went over well with the villain -- the medic had cleaned up the wounds left behind from that. 

"A box under my bed," they replied, keeping their eyes locked on the computer. "It had my keepsakes in it. Family photos, birthday cards, that sort of thing."

"Sentiment," the villain said skeptically. "That's what got you so worked up?"

"I wouldn't expect someone like you to understand," they snapped, standing up. 

The villain watched them leave and the medic felt their gaze like a laser all the way down the hall. 

Two days later a painfully familiar box sat on the examination table. Scribbled in sharpie on the cardboard was a message: 

I do understand. 

[writing-plurals]

Hi!

How do systems usually become aware that they’re a system?

I have two characters whom I want to see what them being systems would be like (it’s fanfic; the originals are singlets) and while I know how I want one of them to realize it, I’m not sure about the other.

I also realized I just kind of assumed some things with how character A. would realize they’re a system, so I really would like some advice from actual systems before I continue with his thing.

Also, are headmates aware of what they are before the host realizes they’re a system? I know it’s not going to be the same for everyone, even among just, say, endo-genic(? That’s what they’re called right) systems, but I’m not sure if a headmate would realize their plurality sooner than the host?

I feel like perhaps it would be harder for trauma-genic systems to notice, especially if they’re still in a trauma situation, but that’s pure speculation on my part. I’m a singlet. Both of the characters would likely be trauma-genic systems, because Christ they go through some shit, though they may have a few other headmates that popped up for other reasons (at least one of them will probably end up with a couple of fictives)

I know that was a lot of questions but I would love some advice,,,

some systems in a discord server I’m in were answering some questions of curiosity and directed me here for more advice and I’d feel bad to keep pestering them JSJSJSEH

For a simple answer, at least, (and reblogs with additional input are welcome!) headmates that aren't the host, or the person who previously ran their life for the most part, they very much can know, regardless of system origin. Often times, there's an active effort on their part to not let the host know until everyone's ready for that egg to crack. For us, at least, as far as how we figured it out, it was a case of realizing certain... modes I'd go into simply made different choices than I would, by far, even when I'd gladly accepted that I might have different Modes I might go into. Suggesting different senses of will and individuality I hadn't noticed.

-Mod Tick Tock

[riewritten]

Are you thinking of writing an Erwinxreader for Valentine's Day (of course no compulsion!)

i almost forgot it's still valentines in other countries (it's yesterday in my place) i wonder how it went for you, reader. nonetheless, since you requested and i want to chase the holiday til it's over, please accept this rough part 2 of too pleasing in the eye (just did a quick revision to fit the season). DISCLAIMER that you don't need to read the first part to get this one. though it has (i think) the same level of fluff u might enjoy, too.

ALSO yes, there's a day of love in paradis. yes because i said so 🤭

TOO PLEASING IN THE EYE

AN EPISODIC SERIES • ERWIN X GEN NEUTRAL!READER

TAGS: canon AU and fluff

WORDS: 2k | AO3

If there's someone who'd forget the very day deemed to be oozing with warmth amidst winter cold, it might be no other than you. 

Luckily for you, your boss could remember in your stead—well, no. Erwin specifically gambled that you'd forget, and to amuse himself by winning, he piled you with lots of paperwork the night before. Not fair, he knew, but he never was fair to begin with. He was bored, with nothing amusing to do as his line of work deprived him of appreciating the mundanity of holidays for good.

He got nothing amusing to do and apparently, the number one list on solving that involves you.

With the tick-tock of the clock, bubbling sound of boiling chamomile, and scent of newly baked pie, Erwin was emptily humming in his head; would you forget or would you not? How long would you be spacing out? Would he be given the chance to stare for five solid minutes this time? Would he—

"Commander!" you shrieked from the outside which followed suit with a bang; Erwin just knew it was the sound of your head against the door. Seems like he won, not a minute upon your arrival and you're already in disarray!

But when you opened the door and petals flew alongside your entrance, Erwin had to take back his win. 

"I tripped over the flowers at your doorway! I thought your office was a funeral!"

He barely heard you; he was stunned. It never occurred to him that a mixture of you and measly flowers his horse would just step on during a bloody expedition would look so… oh no, has he finally reached that level of "down bad" Hange talks about? How can the Commander be this cliche?

"Why are those in my office?" He knew the answer—it was either his subordinates or admirers, but he didn't think you'd be dumb enough to trip over it.

"I don't know, I was about to ask!" still, you attempted to fix your composure after the unceremonious fall. "The regiment smells so good today and I'm surprised Levi's not the reason why. I almost daydreamed while walking."

You really forgot the occasion which called for his win but he rather felt defeated with the realization of his affection. How strong could you be — to be able to beat him without even knowing? Erwin can only know.

"Have you finished what I asked you to do?"

You frowned, pointed at your eyebags, then handed him heap of documents.

He felt guilty, don't you worry, that's why he's doing as planned. "Good job. Now we have to personally deliver this at the royal palace. Tell me if you're ready to go." He stood up and ushered you to sit as he prepared the meal at the pantry.

"But I just—" you sighed, breathing still ragged from all the running, "I just came here."

Erwin came back with the dessert, "you can space out all day if you want."

"Why?" you shot him a look of doubt, "Are you scheming something?"

Sharp. "The least that I could do for piling you with a day-worth of work, I suppose." 

"How long can I rest?"

"As long as you want. I wasn't kidding."

"Heh, I got the best boss." You let out a muffled squeal, "I think I'll apply as a full-time staff member in the regiment once our commission's done."

Erwin just sipped his tea with a cordial smile. He sure as hell would refer you to a much more decent job instead of this one. Not only would you distract him by being too pleasing in the eye, but he also doesn't think he can maintain this professional dynamic any further. 

Oh, only if you know.

"Sorry for saying this, Commander, but I feel like I'm being treated to the best trip of my life instead of running errands."

"Then you must have a nice way to look at things. Hange would be whining by now. Continue what you're saying about that bird."

"Oh yeah, I forgot about the bird. I mean, I've never eaten a cake like this. How can this be so good? And this is the first time I've ever been given the opportunity to enter Wall Sina!"

And there could be more opportunities for you if Sina wasn't gatekept to begin with, Erwin decided not to say it though, as he doesn't want to ruin the mood. "The bird," he called your name with a chuckle, "Continue with the bird."

“Okay, so Dudu the bird who learned and sang a new song whose words she did not really know the meaning of," you crooned as if it was a lullaby, "was then caught, killed, and cooked for dinner because in the song, she was actually begging people to kill and cook her! That was it. That was what I read in that book."

"And why do you think you resonate with that bird?"

"Because I'm Dudu, but rather than not knowing the song at all, I think I'd just forget what it means. I'd forget what it means and it would render me to a dinner meal." 

Erwin laughed, which kind of surprised you because Erwin never laughs. He chuckles, but never did you hear him laugh.

If you get to space out again, you're certain it's this scene that will play out.

"I'm ranting over my memory issues, Commander. I'm ranting and you're laughing."

He really did take his time, not even bothered if you're offended. After wiping his eyes a little and a last sigh to retain his composure, he said, "All that and yet you still persist in living on your own. You're dead set on being independent when you can rely on people for that so easily."

"Well, as amusing as this quirk is, I'm not very proud of it. It'll get annoying to anyone involved in the long run."

"I'm pretty certain there are people who'd be willing to take lengths for that, someone so devoted to remind what's needed to be reminded."

"Nope, not true."

"It is."

"No."

"Yes, it is."

You're confident to prove a point, "The landlord is too busy with merchants. The headmaster is on the edge of firing me. Moblit is too occupied dealing with Hange. And oh, don't get me started with how Levi would just shout at me if he notices."

Erwin hummed, "Tell me more."

"And Miche wouldn't even bother. And, uh… who else? I don't have many friends… oh, you! You'd be too—"

Oh.

Your thoughts were cut off and it didn't help with how he raised his eyebrows with a smile. "Hm? I'd be too what?"

No, it would be so haphazard of me to assume what I just assumed. "Why are you smiling, Commander?"

"Before you go home, I can arrange your paperwork so you'd know what's needed for tomorrow."

"You already do that."

"There would be a note on what's urgent and what could wait 'til the next day. The documents would be secured nicely in a folder so you won't have much difficulty browsing it."

"You already do that," and oh, how bad you wish that you were as slow at this as you usually are. Maybe by then you wouldn't have much difficulty walking because of a very flushed face.

"Hm, what more could I offer..." he pondered, "Oh, maybe I can have birds knock around your window during daybreak. That's the usual time you wake up. I’ll see to it that they wouldn’t sing phrases they don’t know about."

The usual time you wake up? How did he even manage to remember such trivial information?

"Well, that one you hadn't done yet."

"Then it's settled."

He might've meant that as a friend, right? Friends do care for you a lot. They could offer their time, although limited. They could—oh no.

He said someone who'd be so devoted to you to do so.

So devoted. So devoted. The Commander rarely uses synonyms for too much unless it really is.

You looked at him, a bit too aghast, but instead of calming down he just riled your fluster by saying, "I could offer so much, don't you think so?"

You chuckled nervously, clinging to the last bits of reluctance, "Well, yeah. Not everyone can do that, I suppose."

"Indeed. In fact, I might be the one most fitted for the job."

There, you stopped in your tracks. He took a few steps before halting too.

"W-what do you mean—" you stuttered; the drumming of your chest irked you. You asked it to stop. You really want to hear his answer very clearly. "What do you mean by that?"

He turned to you—hands on the pocket of his green coat with a cordial smile that's just so endearing to see, something that appears often in your daydreams.

It's a knowing smile, too, as if to subtly confirm your doubts. "What do you think?"

"Stop messing around," you glared but quickly turned away to whisper, "you're giving me false hope on this, Commander." 

"Come again?" But he heard that loud and clear. It's evident by how his smile got replaced with surprise. "Hope?"

You defeatedly sighed, "Nothing, not that it's important—"

"Repeat what you just said. I didn't hear you clearly."

You didn't answer even after he walked to close the distance. He called your name, not sternly but urging. "Repeat that."

"You're giving me false hope on this. You can't just blabber about someone so devoted only to make me realize that you've been doing just that all along." Too ashamed to admit yet defeated with his urging, you continued, "I mean, I just know the headmaster revealed how I've been holding you with affection for a while now, but it doesn't mean you get to play around that!"

When you raised your head again, resolute to berate him, you realized what you just did.

The commander looked genuinely surprised, as if that was the most shocking thing he had ever heard — just as if he was not hearing the most abhorrent truths and seeing the vilest of realities in his line of work.

"Oh my god, the headmaster didn't tell you?"

After a few blinks, what clicked next was a smile, insinuating that he got hold of the situation again, that whatever he was scheming tonight had finally been achieved.

"I mean, I would pay him fortunes for that information." The revelation gave him tremendous courage, too. He slowly reached for your hand, clasped his fingers at yours, and lifted it up until it reached his cheeks, "I wonder why he didn't. The headmaster has a thing with money."

"My hand,"

"Yes? What's with the hand?" He gave it a chaste peck without averting his gaze away, amusingly so. As if already aware of how his eyes, let alone that very whisper, could deprive you of comprehending such a question. It was his usual knowing look — asking things he already knows and acting out situations he knows how would end.

"Are we—" oh, don't hold back on assuming now. He's establishing it loud and clear. "Are we really supposed to work for an errand today?"

He shrugged, but your hands remained on his cheek nonetheless. "Well, where are the papers?"

The inquiry brought you back in fear.

"We didn't bring them with us! I forgot!" But your confusion became a glare upon realizing, "You said you'll be the one to bring it. I didn't forget, It's not my fault!"

"I never said you're at fault."

"Oh? Okay," you quickly fixed your composure, why am I so nervous about this? "Just for the record because I'm always the one at fault for the things that are forgotten."

"Don't worry, I'll never get angry about it." Erwin guided your hand so it'd be wrapped around his waist. He then cupped your cheek and kissed your forehead. "Unless you forget this moment first thing in the morning."

His gesture worked as a spell to awaken you that this is neither a product of your daydreaming nor a fragment brought by the sweet scent of cakes and tea — no, not this time, not from hereon.

And thus it brought you warmth, the warmest amidst winter cold. And as this day can never slip from your mind again, you hugged him tight and replied, "Well, this is what I'll be dreaming of once I space out again."

🏷 @watyousayin @frenchdyer (sorry for bombarding you two w/ erwin updates ㅜㅜ) | SUBSCRIBE HERE

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dudu the singing bird came from hitting the budapest by noviolet bulawayo ! do give them a read, i loved their writing style

[ticktock-clockie]

Admin info !! <3

hihi, lovelies !! this mod is making a blog about the type of content they accept :D, this is ooc and anything ooc will have // next to it !! mods speaking tag is tick tock !! ^^ the mod of this blog is energetic and slow, so please be patient with her !! mod tends to be a bit of a rambler as well <3, so please be patient !! mod is also minorly dyslexic <3

mod of this blog goes by she/her pronouns but accepts they/them as well !! mod of this blog also does writing commissions if you wish :D, but this is a rp blog for clockie so please try to keep everything hsr related !!

mod does not accept ship content, mod's muse is a clock after all !! mod is okay with interactions from other rp accs and interactions in general !! mod has no headcanons for clockie and tries her best to play him accordingly :D

mod's personal boundaries include no nsfw !! please don't bring nsfw into mods dms, or any questions as mod won't answer !! :) otherwise, most things are welcome !! mod is open to friends in character and out of character :D mod does not bite <3

please take care of yourself ! <3

[chubbycaucasianchristiancloseted]

Conservatives would not even know who Dylan Mulvaney was if Joe Biden didn’t sit down and do a 1:1 interview.

Conservatives would not even know who Dylan Mulvaney was if Joe Biden didn’t sit down and do a 1:1 interview. When the leader of the Free World does not do a lot of interviews nor answers questions (and when they do they call from a pre-written list of reporters) but does a 1:1 interview with a tick-tock/insta “influencer”, educated voters pay attention. People then see some of the offensive stuff Mulvaney has said about women and get a little turned off.

I understand they want to reach out to the next generation but is Gen Z even old enough to drink? Why such the drastic jump of people who identify as LGBTQ+.

Anheuser-Busch dipped it’s toe into controversial waters, bud-light is not a great tasting beer, there are more alcoholic options than ever before and people don’t want to support controversy. Instead of racing to the corner freezer door and pulling out a case of bud they strolled passed all the other varieties and tried something new. They realized how awful Bud is and never went back. I would encourage everyone to support local brewers and try everything local within your area.

Direct Quotes

Popular LGBTQ+-owned bars in Chicago have announced plans to boycott Anheuser-Busch beer following a controversial marketing campaign surrounding transgender influencer Dylan Mulvaney.

"Bud Light's recent decision to drop the Dylan Mulvaney campaign, to put on "leave" those who created it, as well as the statement by its CEO, wrongfully validates the position that it is acceptable to acquiesce to the demands of those who do not support the trans community, and wish to erase LGBTQ+ visibility."

2Bears Tavern, Jackhammer, Meeting House Tavern and The Sofo Tap - said all of its bars "are discontinuing Anheuser-Busch InBev products as a result of the brewer’s anti-transgender actions and statements."

“I grew up in a conservative family and I’m extremely privileged because they still love me very much. And I grew up in the church and I still have my faith, which I am really trying to hold on to right now,” the actor said. “But I’ve always tried to love everyone, even the people that make it really, really hard.”

For some, the partnership went too far at a time when transgender issues — including gender-affirming health care and participation in sports — are a divisive topic in state legislatures.

But others — including Heinerscheid herself — say reaching out to younger and more diverse consumers is crucial. According to a 2021 Gallup poll, 21% of people in Generation Z identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, compared to 3% of Baby Boomers.

Anheuser-Busch has long supported the LGBTQ+ community, partnering with advocacy groups and donating more than $13 million over 20 years to organizations committed to LGBTQ+ equality. Bud Light has also released rainbow-colored aluminum bottles during June Pride Month and donated $1 for every case sold to the advocacy group GLAAD.

[gwynsapphire]

09:10AM

Bangchan x gn reader.

Pure fluff, idol au, established relationship.

1.1k words.

A/n: A fic for 24/8 event, organized by @neo-shitty. I had fun writing this piece, although it didn't turn out like what I had in mind but nonetheless here it is <3 Also I'm actually quite nervous because this is my first time joining a writing event😬 anyways special thanks to @straydestiny for being my beta reader, really appreciate it✨🙆‍♀️ Again, likes, reblogs and feedbacks are very much appreciated so that I can improve myself! Happy reading~

Masterlist

The night before, at 11:00 PM, your boyfriend had sent a message to inform you that he would be staying overnight at the studio for a somewhat vague reason. It was only after some pressing from you that he revealed that he had accepted a dare from Changbin to complete six songs in one sitting.

You gawked at the messages in disbelief, even rubbing your eyes several times to make sure that you weren’t seeing things. After much contemplation, you let out a sigh and called to let him know that you would be visiting him at the studio.

"Why?" You heard a little hum on the line before he questioned you.

"No reason." A hum from you before you answered him.

That was a lie. You weren’t about to let him know that you were low on affection and needed replenishing.

It was a short call. You ended the call after Chan made kissy sounds to annoy you.

You made sure to make him aware of your disapproval upon arrival, your scowling face was more than a clear indication that you were not impressed by his decision to take up the dare. You even cursed inwardly at Changbin and even made a mental note to go after his ass the next time you would meet him. Chan only let out a nervous chuckle in response to your scowling face.

"How long will you take to complete these songs?"

"Hmm, maybe nine hours?"

"......"

"If I try hard enough?" He added on, after hearing a lack of words from you.

The uncertainty in his tone once again had you scowling at him. Seeing your frown he merely tried to laugh it off before engulfing you in a big hug and proceeding to press kisses all around your face, a tactic he used to reduce your annoyance and you had to give it to him because it worked. Every time, without fail. At the same time, your affection quota was also being replenished, so you weren't as annoyed as when you had first arrived. Reluctantly, you responded to his hug with both hands moving to circle around his waist. You then slightly tiptoed to plant a long and firm kiss on his lips. He smiled against your lips, a hand raised to move a piece of stray hair away from your face.

Pulling away from the kiss but still keeping you in close proximity, he took in your overall appearance before directing you to the couch behind his working table. You’d had a long day and he could tell from the exhaustion evidenced in your eyes. Once you were laid on the couch, he placed his hoodie on top of you to act as a blanket. "Just rest here while I try to complete as fast as I can." After making sure that you were all comfy, he dropped a peck on your forehead before resuming his previously abandoned task.

You didn't really have a good rest; you’d been drifting in and out of sleep throughout the night. You blamed it on the lack of Chan's embrace and body warmth next to you like usual. You wanted to complain, you really did, but decided against it because you didn't want to interrupt Chan, the workaholic and somehow a perfectionist idol. After countless failed attempts at sleeping, you decided to just stay up quietly alongside your boyfriend, alternating between watching Korean dramas, playing mobile games and simply observing your working boyfriend to pass the time.

Tick tock tick tock BEEP BEEP BEEP-

A sleepy yawn slips from your mouth for the umpteenth time as you languidly make your way to turn off the alarm clock on Chan's work table.

09:00 AM.

Turning to your right to face him, you asked, "Babe, are you gonna be done anytime soon-" Your sentence was cut off by a yawn.

From the corner of your eyes, you saw Chan clicking his mouse furiously a few times before finally clapping his hands with a yawn. You giggled at the adorable scene that was playing out in front of you. "All doneeeeee, we can go now!" At that, he pulled you to him, hugging your middle as he hummed and you threaded your hands through his curly locks and he emitted a little giggle.

*Cue stomach grumbling sound.*

Immediately, both your hands shot up to cover your face due to embarrassment. You could feel the vibration of his body as he let out a quiet laugh that soon turned into full-blown hearty laughter. You swore to God that you were close to snapping at him due to the overflowing embarrassment you were currently feeling. As if he was able to sense your brewing tantrum, his laughter ceased. Without looking up at you, he moved to slightly lift your shirt and place butterfly kisses all over your tummy, eliciting an embarrassed whine from you.

"Let's get some food before we go back home to get some shut-eye, yeah?" You felt him stand and remove your hands that were previously hiding your face. As he held your hands in his, he placed a kiss on each palm. With a still blushing face, you only nodded wordlessly. "Perfect, just give me a moment." With that, he let go of your hands, patted you on the head softly and went to collect his stuff.

09:15 AM.

The both of you went to the nearby restaurant that served your favourite meal - Gukbap, hot soup with rice. After thoroughly satiating your hunger in comfortable silence, the both of you took a cab to get home.

09:45 AM.

At this point, your condition was comparable to a zombie. You were spent, clutching tightly onto Chan's arm as you could barely keep your eyes open. Not to mention, you also moved sluggishly, essentially using Chan as a walking stick to keep yourself balanced. He made sure to keep a close eye on you so that you didn’t trip while he worked fast to unlock the door to your shared apartment.

Without much difficulty, he managed to get you into your shared bedroom. Once your body came into contact with the comfortable and familiar scent and texture of your bed, you immediately drifted into dreamland. With an affectionate smile, Chan shook his head before heading to the washroom to freshen up before going to bed. He joined you on the bed once he was done with his routine.

He closed the distance between the both of you before speaking in a hushed whisper. "Thank you for accompanying me." A smooch on your forehead. "Good night." Another smooch on your button nose that he adores. "Sleep tight. Sweet dreams." And two smooches on each side of your cheek. "I love you so much." A final smooch on your slightly parted lips.

10:00 AM.

You and Chan were sound asleep with you in Chan's embrace, your hands on his chest, his face buried in your hair, feet tangled together beneath the blanket.

[dialovers-translations]

Diabolik Lovers BLOODY BOUQUET Vol.8 Mukami Yuma [Track 2]

Original title: 漆黒の花片

Source: Diabolik Lovers Bloody Bouquet Vol. 8 Mukami Yuma [CD not owned by me]

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Tatsuhisa Suzuki

Translator’s note: I really enjoy the different approach in this CD. In pretty much all the other Bloody Bouquet CDs, the guy is there when the MC accepts the bouquet and pricks her finger. :p It’s funny how she almost gets away with hiding it in this one, if it wasn’t for the random dizzy spell telling Yuma what’s up. It definitely is cute how he’s so desperate to save her though. It’s gonna hurt my heart to see (or hear, more accurately) him suffer next track. T _ T Our farmer Vampire deserves better than that. 

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

Track 1 ll Track 2 ll Track 3 ll Track 4 ll Track 5

Track 2: Jet Black Petals

You open the door and find the bouquet of flowers.

*Rustle rustle*

You prick yourself when picking them up.

*Rustle*

“ーー Oi, Sow! Where the fuck are ya...!?”

You quickly throw the flowers away and close the door again.

*Thud*

“...Sow!!”

You walk up to Yuma.

“...Ah! Che...There ya are, huh? Geez...Ya sure had some nerve leavin’ right after I was satisfied. ...You bitch! Whatcha doin’ here at the entrance?”

You nearly collapse but he catches you just in time.

*THUD*

“...!! Oi!! Why did you collapse...? Anemia? Honestly, you’re such a weaklin’...”

*Rustle rustle*

“Guess it can’t be helped. Just hold onto me for now. ...There.”

*Rustle*

“...Ah, the fuck’s this? Black petals? ...Are these from roses? How did those get here?”

You explain.

“Hm? ...Ahー The delivery from earlier were flowers? So, where are the black roses in question? I don’t see them anywhere.”

You admit to throwing them away.

“Haah!? Ya threw them away? Why would ya waste them like that? ...Black roses are kinda rare, ya know? Also, tossin’ a gift straight into the trash doesn’t sound like somethin’ ya’d do.”

You nearly lose your balance again.

*Rustle*

“...Oi!! What’s wrong!? ...Fuck! Guess I’ll just carry ya to the bed for now...Heave-ho.”

*Rustle*

“...Say, did I really suck that much of yer blood? Is that why you’re feelin’ like this now? ...My bad. I won’t go overboard again, so if ya could properly push me away next time...”

You shake your head.

“...Ah? Then what’s causin’ this? That’s ‘bout the only thing I can think oーー”

You apologize.

“...Haah? ...What do you mean with ‘I’m sorry’...?”

*Rustle*

“...!! Oi! ...She lost consciousness? ...Fuck!”

Yuma carries you away to the bedroom.

*TIMESKIP*

*Tick-tock・Tick-tock Tick-tock*

“...Haah. Is this really gonna end well for her? Several days have passed, but rather than gettin’ better, I feel like her condition is only worsenin’...”

*Rustle*

“The symptoms seem kinda off for it to be anemia...? And the way she’s sufferin’ just seems abnormal? ...She refuses to tell me anythin’ as well. We should probably go to the hospitaーー”

Yuma gets sudden dizzy spells.

“...Ugh...! ...It hurts...! The fuck’s goin’ on...!? There’s a voice...echoin’ through my head...Kuh...!”

( Alongside a loud ringing inside my ears, I could feel my brain get shaken up. The voice echoing through my mind suddenly spoke the following words: “The throns of the black roses have put a permanent curse on her. Her blood will gradually begin to rot, becoming a poison which torments the immortal. This process can no longer be stopped. There is only one way to survive, to continue having the person she loves feast upon her blood. If not, the curse will surely become the end of her.” 

Che...Smells fishy. Under normal circumstances, I would have simply disregarded it as some shitty joke. It just sounds so unbelievable. However...those black roses which were delivered to us a few days ago, as well as her weakened state, I just couldn’t play it off as a lie. She might die at this rate...When I considered that, I was suddenly overcome by an intense feeling of fear. At the same time, anger welled up inside of me at once, upset at her for not telling me anything. Unable to keep standing around another second, I bolted towards the bedroom. )

Yuma bursts into the room.

*Thud*

“ーー The fuck’s this ‘bout, oi!?”

He rushes over to the bed.

*Rustle rustle*

“...Don’t be burdenin’ it all by yourself! Why didn’t you tell me anythin’...!?”

You flinch.

“That reaction...So you knew what those black roses did to ya, huh!?”

You explain to Yuma that it was written on a card that came with the bouquet.

“A card...?”

You tell him about the curse.

“A cursed message? ...Then why did ya keep quiet ‘bout somethin’ so important!? You hid the fact you were pricked by the thorn this whole time as weーー!”

You try and defend your decision. 

“Shut up! I don’t wanna hear yer lousy excuses!! Ya didn’t wanna bother me!? So what if ya die ‘cause of it, huh!? Havin’ ya die on me would affect me much more! ...Who do you think I am!?”

*THUD*

“...Can you not put faith in me? ...If it was Ruki, then maybe...Fuck!”

You apologize again.

“...Don’t apologize. Don’t be sayin’ sorry! That won’t lift the curse, will it!? ...We can still make it on time, right?”

*Rustle*

“Don’t move. I don’t plan on doin’ anythin’ horrible to you, really...You should know as well, right? Wasn’t it written on that card? Now that you’ve been affected by the poison, there’s only one way for ya to survive. Only through me suckin’ yer blood. ...Say, ya can no longer live on without my fangs, right? ...Perfect. Guess I just gotta do it then. I’ll break this curse somehow.”

You try and push him away.

*Rustle*

“Ugh...Ya don’t want my fangs? ...Don’t be fuckin’ ‘round! You’re mine, remember...!?”

*RIIIIIIP*

“Behave and lemme suck ya!”

Yuma bites you.

“Nn...Mmph...!?”

*Ba-dump*

“...Nnh...!? Kuh...! ...Haah! I-Is this...the poison...? Cough, cough...! ...They’re not playin’ ‘round, huh...? Haha...”

*Gulp*

“...Ugh...Haah, haah...Bring it on...I’ll blast that curse right outta ya.”

*Sluuuuurp*

“Haah, haah...! This stuff’s child’s play once ya get used to it. Ugh...”

*Sluuuuurp*

“Cough, cough...!”

*Rustle*

“...Shut up! Don’t get in my way!”

*Sluuuuurp*

“You’re actually acceptin’ my fangs, aren’t ya?”

*Gulp gulp*

“...Ugh...Fuck...Haah, haah...”

*Rustle*

“Don’t be runnin’...! Stop makin’ this even harder on me. ...Altho, I guess you’re already feelin’ a lil’ better if ya can fight back like that.”

You frown.

“...Ah? Should I not be worried? Am I breakin’ character? We proved it just now, no? Ya can survive if I suck yer blood. Haah...In that case...I’m obviously gonna save ya. Besides, we’re talkin’ ‘bout none other than your blood. I end up yearnin’ for it, even when I know it’s poison to me. I need it.” 

*Rustle*

“Come on, gimme yer hand.”

Yuma grabs hold of your wrist.

“Show me...Where did the thorn prick ya?”

*Rustle*

“Come on, which finger is it? If ya won’t tell me, I’ll just have to test them all out.”

You answer.

“...Such slender fingers. Mmh...”

*Sluuuuurp*

*Gulp*

“...Cough, cough...! ...Ah, did I hurt ya? But my bad, I can’t control my strength right now.”

*Sluuuuurp*

“Hang in there just a lil’ longer...Yer life’s on the line...Cough, cough...!”

You beg him to stop.

“...Shut up. I already said I wouldn’t stop, remember? Haah, haah, haah...Fuck. I can’t suck very well any more...Ugh...”

You get up from the bed.

*Creaaaak*

“...!! Oi, whatcha doin’...!?”

You suddenly dash away.

“Ah...!? O-Oi...!! Hold it right there...!!”

You leave the room.

“...Kuh!!”

*Rustle rustle*

“Fuck...My body won’t listen to me...But if I don’t catch her, she will...! Ugh...”

Yuma starts limping after you.

( ...She would surely leave me. I banished those words to the very back of my mind. Because I was scared that the moment I voice them out loud, they would become reality. Fearーー Such emotions should have long left me when I turned into a Vampire. I don’t want to lose something or someone again. With that desire, I chased after her. )

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

[yanderecandystore]

I wasn't really planning on continuing this but at the same time I wanted to continue so here we go-

Also I edited some of the misspellings in chapter one.

TW/Tags: Still a sadistic bitch // Still gay af (female x female reader paring) // This was based on the anime Shiki, but I don't promise it'll be any good // Cursing // Your mom is suffering // Some almost intimate moments in the end that could or not be considered smexy // Also depressed vengeful Reader.

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

Prey - Chapter Two

[ 1 . 2 (...)]

Tick, tock

How long have you been here?

Tick, tock

How long have you been unconscious?

You don't know how you came here. How long have you been out? Well, you don't know, but at least you know where you are.

' Home, sweet, home. How I thought I wouldn't see you again.' You thought.

Your mind is a little fuzzy, you can't recall how you managed to get back home, especially on top of your own bed wearing your pajamas. You don't remember changing, but honestly, what the hell do you remember??

You only remember… Darkness… The woods, the moonlight-

"- D-Demon!" You panic as the memories of last night settle in. That woman, that vampire, she- She had bitten you!

You try to get off of your bed but your body feels heavy. You don't have nearly as much strength as you had yesterday. There is buzzing noise inside your head.

"- [Y/N]?!" You think… You think you heard your mother calling you.

You can hear her running towards your bedroom door, she opens it and her frightened face only worsen at seeing you on the floor.

Helpless.

"- [Y/N]! Please don't- What happened to you?! Did you fall?! Need so help, honey?" Your mother doesn't know what she should tell you. She is confused, disheartened, worried. She wants to ask you what happened but, right now, she is more worried about your current state.

"- Don't Force yourself too much while you have such a bad fever, okay?" She told you, hoping you would listen to her this time.

The first time she told you to stay in bed you didn't respond.

And now, you don't seem to be able to respond once again.

Voices, there are voices buzzing inside your head. The voice of your mom isn't nearly as powerful as the constant storm inside your brain. It's repetitive, it's loud, it's too strong for you. You feel a strong need to answer them, despite your best attempt to ignore them.

You need to answer your mom, or else you only make her more and more worried about you.

"- Y-" But you can't. They won't let you.

' Don't tell her, don't tell her, don't tell her, don't tell her.' It 's all it says. Again, and again.

They aren't telling you a possibility, they're commanding you.

"- I-I won't-" You manage to muster. But to both your relief and despair, your mother interpreted as you answering her over the voices.

"- Oh- Thank goodness dear, you haven't- I- I really shouldn't have doubted you!" She gives you a half-hearted laugh. She doesn't seem to be able to process her thoughts into words correctly, but you know exactly what she is thinking. She thought you were completely gone, she thought you had gotten the disease that every person inside the village is doomed to get.

' Maybe you could still be saved, somehow.' Was what she hoped for.

' I'm really sorry for doubting your strength, [Y/N]...' Was what she thought. Glad to be reminded that her daughter is one tough cookie.

But inside your heart, inside your very soul, you know that you need to tell her the truth. You can't let her believe that this is just a disease, you need to warn her about the nobles, about the vampires living inside your village!

While the voices ordered you to obey, your pathetic inner voice was telling you to be stronger than this! To listen to yourself and be honest.

' Mom- Mom, please, get out of the village, get help from the capital-' You screamed from deep inside, not being able to overpower the other voices, not being able to put your thoughts into words as your mom helped you get back in your bed.

"- Please, take some rest okay? I know that these past few days haven't been easy on us."

' Don't tell her, don't tell her, don't tell her.'

' Mom, please, I-'

' Don't tell her, don't tell her, don't tell her.'

"- I know that, Carol was a really dear friend to you… I know that seeing her get more and more depressed as the days went on after her brother's death was really hard for you… I-I'm really sorry you had to witness that…" Moms, sometimes they just wish their children didn't have to see the terrible things around them, it doesn't matter how old and mature their child is. Mother's love is reckless.

' Don't tell her, don't tell her, don't tell her.'

' Mom! Please, I- I just don't want to-'

' Don't tell her, don't tell her, don't tell her.'

It doesn't matter how hard you try, you don't seem to be able to warn her. Your head is aching from all the voices talking in your head. You can practically feel the venom in your veins. The demon had put it's venom inside of you and was now plaguing your mind.

"- Just, please rest here okay? I'll see if there is any doctor that could help us, I heard that there is one currently resting in the town's inn." Your mother tried to be positive about the situation. She didn't want you to feel scared about the situation, and neither did she want to show you how terrified she is of you… Suddenly passing away.

But you have already noticed. You have already seen in her eyes the fear, the acknowledgement that you may not survive. And even a person that was considered tough by your loved ones, was starting to realize how unfortunate your situation truly was.

Death was a horrifying concept on it's own, but you didn't mind that. You have accepted that, but-

It still hurts, it hurts so much. And to make matters worse, you realized that you have failed.

You have failed your village.

You have failed Carol.

You have failed your mom!

"- … M-Mom-!" You managed to say. But could you continue the whole phrase?

The voices haven't stopped, they just changed their phrase.

' Don't you dare, don't you dare, don't you dare-' Over and over again, but now way more aggressively than "don't tell her".

"- Yes, dear?" And once again, her expression is one of mixed affection and fear. She wanted to help you the best way she can, but she doesn't know what to do… Please, let this be a nightmare, maybe a spook, a scare, maybe you have gotten a cold or something mild as that. Please let this be fake.

"- … I love you." It's all your body has let you tell her, but deep inside, you wished you could have warned her about the family of nobles. Or at least…. Asked if she could spend the night with you.

' I'm scared, mom. I'm really scared '

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

As expected, the doctor that came in to check on you, diagnosed you with the same symptoms as the "disease" everyone has been catching.

He stated that you presented a really early stage of development of the disease, which caused your mother to get hopeful that maybe, maybe there was still something that could cure you.

But… The doctor told her that the disease was irreversible. What a strange choice of wording.

Your mother was distraught of course. She is in denial, there is no way you're going to die because of a common cold or whatever this was! She just- Couldn't accept that her own daughter was dying.

She couldn't accept that these were your last days, she just couldn't.

And although she looked at you with the same love and warm embrace, you knew how she felt. You knew what she was thinking.

You tried talking to her, but every time you would respond, the voices gave you an order to say something else. And you couldn't resist replying to them, as every time you replied, they stopped screaming inside your head. It's been two days since you didn't meet her again, yet her influence was still strong inside of you.

You had a week to say your last goodbyes before dying… Or, worse. You remember what the mistress told you that day, but you didn't know what she could possibly be talking about, but now, oh, now you think there is something worse than death awaiting you.

"- Do you know how vampires pass their curse to mortals?"

"- Carol is a special one indeed. But also, she can't keep her mouth shut for a second. How did you manage to deal with her while she was alive?"

While remembering what the demon said, the voices inside your head have become louder, mocking you, laughing at you. Your body is in so much pain, but you don't have any strength to call your mom, to call for help.

Carol. She said Carol. Carol talked to her, Carol told her your name-

Carol is alive. But how can Carol be alive? How can no one know that Carol is alive, how can only that snobby vampire know about Carol?-

Your thoughts became more rapidly, your inner voice was slowly but surely becoming more powerful than the demons inside your head. You didn't care for the voices, or the poison in your veins.

Something needs to be done.

Your mind was telling you to let her in. Let her in your house, let her in your room. She was nearby. Of course she was. She hasn't consumed blood since the last time she saw you.

Of course she came in to take more.

' Let her in, let her in, let her in, let her in-'

But you won't. Won't let her have access to your house. You won't invite her, you won't let her have access to your house, to your mom, to you.

It doesn't matter if your body hurts like a bitch, it doesn't matter if the infernal voices won't shut up. She won't take your blood anymore. And it doesn't matter that she is currently looking really fucking sinister outside your window while tapping on the glass with her pointy nails.

"- [Y/N]~ I've missed you…" Again with the sweet and flirty acting. At least you now know that it is indeed her who is messing with your brain, because as soon as she said that the voices have become more subtle, more, smooth, and were now repeating how they missed you.

And just like that, you were feeling… Lighter, for them not be constantly nagging you and scolding you. But just as this comfortable change came, it went away.

"- [Y/N]! OPEN THIS WINDOW RIGHT NOW-" She screamed from the other side of the window, clearly losing her patience. And the voice once again got a hold of you.

Their screams, is almost deafening, is- It's painful, it's just-

It's just too strong for you.

"- See? It wasn't so bad, was it?" She said mockingly as she entered through the window. You didn't respond, you were just glad that the pain has gone away… For the most part.

"- Oh… This is a- Really interesting room decoration, or lack of thereof-" To you, it sounded like she was taunting you again. You imagine that someone that has been born noble has never seen a commoner's house interior except for her nightly hunts. Which were brief and quickly as she could since there was no point of dragging the inevitable.

But, honestly, no it wasn't necessarily taunting, but, oblivious curiosity. A cultural shock, if you will.

Still, no real response came from you. You just want this to get over with. You failed not only every single person in this village, but also yourself. You've let her in.

You're either going to die because of her draining your blood, or you're going to experience a worse fate than death.

Maybe something… Maybe something that Carol is experiencing.

No. No, no, you can't give up just yet, you need to know what happened to Carol, you need to know what happened to those that have died, you can't let her win-

"- You don't seem to be really bright, are you?" She said. You took some time to realize that she was talking to you this entire time. But you don't really care for her, you never did.

"- What do you want, demon?" You refuse to look at her. You refuse to be a "welcoming host" to such a prick.

"- Well, for starters, I want you to stop calling me that. I have a name, and it would be best for the both of us if you started calling me by it." She doesn't take her eyes off of you, you can feel it, oddly enough. She isn't being aggressive just yet, so maybe you could… Take information that you need while you still can.

As you didn't say anything, she continued speaking, this time wandering around your room and playing with your stuff.

"- The name is Abigail Barlow, and since I already know your name, we can cut the introductions short and just go directly to business since you're being so stuck-up about it." She said, while fidgeting with one of your books, fake reading it. Just so she can hide her face from you.

"- … Excuse me?!" You spoke out. If the book wasn't there, you would be able to see the biggest smirk you've ever seen. She knew you would get angry easy, you're just simple like that.

"- How- How can you even come into my house and act like you didn't cause a fucking massacre, like you weren't the cause of so many deaths?!!" How dare she? How dare she? Just simply- How dare she?!

"- Language, [Y/N], you're speaking with an immortal daughter of an immortal duch and duchess, I don't think you have much power in this scenario or in any other scenario of your life." Jesus Christ, Carol was right! You're such a foul-mouth!

"- I should- I should have stabbed you with that dumb piece of wood when I could have." Crying. It 's pathetic. You know this, but who cares? You're doomed anyway. You shouldn't give her the satisfaction of seeing you cry but you can't contain the amount of anger that you have inside of you.

And of course she is enjoying this, of course she is laughing.

"- Just, get this over with-"

"- I came here to make a proposition." She interrupted you and your pitiful sobbing-

"- You see, I have been really kind towards you, [Y/N]. Normally, I would have come to drink your blood everyday, and then I would come to… "You know who"." She giggled at the last part. If you have enough strength in your body, you would have punched her face by now, regardless of the consequences.

"- After I drain all of your blood, you would presumably die, or, you could have the really small and special chance of becoming something like us." She said, either faking cheerfulness or saying with all her heart that the last option was better than just dying. You couldn't differentiate the two.

"- Like… "Us"?" You asked, terrified of what the answer may be. But you already know what she means, and her condensing look only reinforces that.

"- You, know Carol does miss you quite a lot. At first I thought that transforming you would be the best scenario for her, but the chance of it working is so little that it may not even be worth it." She said, sounding actually concerned. Sounding sad for Carol's uneventful life. Although she is the cause of it.

"- What do you mean?" You asked, feeling like a lot of weight is suddenly being put on top of your shoulders. Carol is alive! And- And she misses you?

"- Her brother didn't come back, you know." Oh, her little brother. He didn't…. But, does that mean-

"- She is really lonely without any family members, without any friends…" She has placed your book down, being extremely careful with her words, she needs to convince you.

"- So that's why I'm here, I came here so we can make an agreement." She said in a more serious tone than before. An apathetic tone. Before you could question her shifts in tones and how suspicious this all sounds, she finally said what this "agreement" is.

"- I'll make sure that no vampire hurts your mother, I won't bite anyone else anymore, and that you'll be able to see Carol once again." She said.

"- And the catch?"

"- You'll have to come with me, and let me drink from you whenever I want." Oh, of course that's her requirements. You know that you can't trust her, but- Maybe, maybe you can find a way to break the curse?

Maybe you can find a way to cure everyone, maybe you can stop this from spreading!

And… Your mother would be safe, for the time being.

"- And I just need to play along?" You asked looking up to see her face. That same face from your first encounter, a sadistic grin, an expression you have learned to be disgusted at.

"- Exactly~" She is way too happy with this situation. You guess it is probably because she has the upper hand… For now.

She is stretching her hand to you, as if she is Satan himself offering you a contract that will steal your soul. To which you agree with. As you take her hand, the dread of the situation starts to settle in when in less than a second she manages to push you on top of your bed once again.

The scene is way too familiar, the need to vomit is almost as strong as your determination to make her pay for what she did.

You didn't look in her eyes, but you took a glance at her face to see that she was completely insane. From a calm and playful persona, to an absolute bloodthirsty monster.

Even if you feel disgusted, even if you're absolutely mortified by how her personality does a complete 180, you won't give up.

Her odd caresses at your cheek aren't really helping your discomfort.

"- I really, really hate you." You managed to get it out of your mouth. Not that you were being controlled to not say it or that you were being obligated to keep your mouth shut in anyway. But for some reason, it still took a lot from you to put these words together.

"- I don't need you to say that you love me yet, unless you're begging me for my utmost devotion, I don't need to hear anything that comes from you." She boops your nose as she finishes her sentence. This creepy bitch just doesn't take a break, does she?

"- Burn in hell." You snapped back, causing her a little bit of a scare but also making her laugh at your reaction.

Without anymore delaying she sank her teeth in your exposed cleavage. It hurts way more than when she had bitten your neck, and is weirder than before if you consider how the voices ask you to submit, to let her in, to let her drink it. You tried pushing her off but you couldn't move your body properly.

It hurts a lot, and yet you can't find a way to scream for help. The buzzing is way too loud, and the lack of blood is starting to really worsen your state. You really hope this is just a nightmare, that you're having the craziest dream in your life.

That you'll wake up the next day and everyone will still be there.

She stopped, this time taking her fangs away in a more gentle demeanor. How considerate~

"- Your blood is really, really addicting you know? I haven't been able to feed from anyone else ever since I met you." There it is, that face of someone who just drunk a whole bottle of wine. Are your blood perhaps mixed with alcohol? It doesn't sound unreasonable, after all, your dead friend is alive and now you're the blood stock of a crazy bitch.

You weren't paying attention to her (again), and she decided to politely ask you to look at her, by pushing one of her sharp nail fingers inside your bites marks.

"- Oh, does it hurt? Are you crying because it hurts or are you just a crybaby?" It doesn't matter when, it doesn't matter how, she manages to easily get into your skin. Literally or not.

But you didn't answer, you didn't look at her. You just… Continued to endure the pain, to curse her inside your mind. To plan a revenge against all of this torture that she is putting you through. At least the voices have stopped.

Surprisingly, she didn't seem to have any smart and sassy response to your silence. Maybe it was the moonlight reflecting in your skin, maybe it was how your hair laid and spread across the bedsheet, and maybe even how your eyes were spilling tear after tear, but that determination in your expression has never gone away.

Yeah, she doesn't know what it was, but, something about you was just- Interesting. Now that she is thinking about it, Carol may have a good reason as to why she can't shut up about you. Argh, just reminding of Carol makes Abigail want to take her eyes out and eat them. Their agreement was that they would both share your blood… Not that Abigail was going to keep her promise though.

This moment, this specific moment between you and her wasn't something that should be shared with anyone else. I guess even to a vampire, this scenario seems, really intimate. And it really doesn't help that you're kinda attractive, in her opinion.

Your face when you turned around just to look at why she was taking so long to bite you again was kinda… Cute? Naive? Attractive? She doesn't know. I guess your blood truly is addicting, like a drug, cause she clearly is high out of her damn mind.

You were confused as to why she suddenly stopped and why she didn't bite you again- Not that you really wanted her to continue, but you assumed that if she didn't get off you, was because she was still thirsty- But you now realize that looking at her wasn't the best idea. Like I said, her expression was so out of character that you thought she was drunk.

That somewhat affectionate face was starting to creep you out every second that passed by, especially with how she laughed when she noticed your terror. You didn't think twice before trying to push her away, only to have your wrists taken and your arms stretched on top of your hand.

No amount of wriggling would take you out of this, would it? At least she didn't seem to care that you struggled, if she did, she could have considered that a form of you breaking your agreement.

' You'll let me take your blood whenever I want.' You remember her saying that, but you guess that the "unspoken rule" under that line was "no struggling". Honestly, you don't even want to know if your theory is correct or not, you just want this to end.

She comes a little closer to you, clearly having the best time of her life, as it was written all over her face. She is glad your horrified eyes are stuck in her own.

She thought about saying something, but decided to go against it.

Instead of telling you she'll be more gentle, how about she show you how gentle she can be? She doesn't need to drink your blood in such a rush, if she goes slowly it's pretty much a given that it won't be half as bad as how she normally does. And besides, she has the whole night to enjoy, why not make it last a little longer?

🍭꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍰꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖♡🍮꒰⑅ᵕ༚ᵕ꒱˖🍭

[twistedtummies2]

Mia Corazón (Commission)

Another commission I got via my FA page. This is from the same person who commissioned “Tick Tock” and “A Grim Dinner.” It features his OC based on Tick Tock the Crocodile, Tock Crockwork...BUT, more importantly, it also acts as an introduction to his newest OC, Caelyum De Macabre - a character based on Davy Jones (with hints of Tia Dalma) from “Pirates of the Caribbean.”  And it’s NOT A KINK STORY. HERESY, I KNOW. I had a LOT of fun with this one; my only major regret is that I couldn’t make it longer than it already is. XD Also, just for the sake of making sure people know, I did not make up the lyrics to the song featured here. They’re actually fan-made lyrics for Davy Jones’ theme from the movies, originally created by a YouTube artist called Fiajela. I highly recommend looking up the song - it’s been covered by her and Man on the Internet, and they even made a duet version with the two stitched together. Anyway...hopefully you all enjoy. :)

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Valentine’s Day had come to Night Raven College. As you and Grim walked through the halls of the dark castle, you couldn’t help but chuckle at the decorations: pink paper hearts and streamers of white and crimson were everywhere, making it feel almost as if Heartslabyul had somehow managed to take over the entire palatial academy. Grim frowned up at you, trotting at your side, trident tail swishing as he went. “Nya? What’s so funny, Minion?” he demanded to know. “Nothing, nothing,” you responded with a shake of your head. “It’s just…everything looks so different.” Grim sniffed snootily, crinkling his nose at a poster of two young lovers embracing. “I don’t like it,” he remarked. “It’s all…mushy. It just doesn’t feel right for a School of Villains to be so…nya, what’s a good word…?” “Sentimental? Sappy? Saccharine?” “Gross,” was the word Grim chose, sticking out his tongue and shuddering like a small boy afraid of getting the dreaded cooties. You snorted with laughter. “Well, bring it up to the Headmaster,” you smirked, stuffing your hands in your pockets as you went. “I’d rather not,” Grim grumped. “Besides, we all know Crowley would just ramble on about it, or say he’ll get things done and never do…how come he’s Headmaster, anyway? He doesn’t do anything!” “Your guess is as good as mine,” you shrugged. “All I know is the only home I have is thanks to him, as is the only job. I’d like to keep both, thank you.” Grim shrugged back with an accepting sort of rumble as the two of you ascended the spiral staircase that led up to the Headmaster’s Office. Crowley had sent a call that morning; classes were dismissed for the day, so the university was a little quieter than usual: many of the students were off visiting family or loved ones, and those that were hanging around the campus still were largely engaged in…ahem…PRIVATE affairs. You, of course, could not leave; at least for now, Night Raven was your home, and as you were currently not in a relationship, Valentine’s Day wasn’t much different than any other day. Not that you minded much; it was still nice, in your mind, to see others happy and relaxed, and a holiday was a holiday, at any rate…though it seemed even St. Valentine’s holiday would not be saving you from helping clean up whatever mess Crowley needed dealt with this time. As you passed an image of two small, fluffy kittens holding a heart, a random thought came to your head: “Grim?” “Nya?” “Have you ever wanted to be in love?” “Not really,” the cat-like monster said. “Love is all…icky.” You frowned. “Icky?” you repeated. “All the kissing and hugging and…bleh!” Grim shuddered again, then went on: “Besides, it seems awfully difficult; makes you humans and even beast-men all crazy. I’ve got too much to deal with as it is, thank you very much! Nope. The World’s Greatest Mage won’t ever let love make him all soppy.” Grim stuck out his fluffy chest proudly at this, sticking his nose in the air. You smirked, and paused, reaching down to scratch behind his ears. He froze up…then purred and nuzzled into your touch. “Purrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr…o-okay…maybe I love some things,” he admitted.

“Good kitty,” you teased, and snickered as Grim growled at you and half-heartedly swiped at your hand with a paw. You retracted it and the two of you kept moving. “Come on. The sooner we deal with Crowley, the faster we can get to our own stuff.” Grim nodded, as the pair of you drew nearer to Crowley’s office. You knocked on the door and waited for the sing-song call of “Come in!” before entering. Inside the office, things looked the same as ever, floating portraits of the Great Seven and all…aside from a vase of roses, plus a couple of heart-shaped ornaments on the desk, as well as the fact the purple-and-green curtains had been exchanged for solid red velvet drapes. Dire Crowley himself was seated behind his desk, sorting through paperwork, dressed in his usual attire. His feathery cloak rustled as he lifted his top-hatted head, and smiled at both yourself and Grim as you shut the door to the office behind you, his yellow eyes sparkling behind his Plague-Doctor-esque Venetian mask. “Ahhh! Prefect of Ramshackle Dorm! And the Little Monster!” he greeted warmly, rising and waving his hands, bidding you closer as he stepped around his desk. “Come, come, you’re right on time!” “On time for what, dare we ask?” Grim meowed. “Aren’t you celebrating Valentine’s Day, too, Headmaster?” you asked, politely. “Later,” Crowley smirked, winking and tapping the side of his mask’s long nose. “I’ll be entertaining a cute little fairy sorceress from the Land of Oz later tonight.” He let out a dreamy sigh, placing a hand to his heart. “Ahhh, Miss Upland…one day, you will be mine…” You and Grim gave each other a look, shrugged, then turned back to Crowley. “What’s the problem, then?” you asked, knowing better than to think this was a social call. By now, Crowley had firmly established yourself and Grim as the chief problem solvers of the Academy, so it stood to reason he had a mission for your both. “Oh! Yes, well,” Crowley muttered, and cleared his throat, adjusting and straightening his stance before going on in a business-like way: “As I’m sure you’ll both know, tonight there’s a special performance, directed by our own Vil Schoenheit, for the holiday.” “Nya? Isn’t it that play about the Sea Witch?” Grim checked, tilting his head. “Correct,” nodded the Headmaster. “And the Little Mermaid she assisted. We have a special guest coming to see the show tonight…” He reached into the folds of his cloak and pulled out a small photograph, handing it over to you. You knelt down to get closer to Grim’s level, and showed him the photo as you both looked it over: the picture was a portrait of a dark-skinned mermaid, with hair black as ebony and scales of red and gold. Her eyes were brown and soft and warm as milk chocolate, and a silver locket in the shape of a heart was clasped about her throat. “Oooh…she’s pretty!” Grim smiled. “Very,” you agreed with a smile of your own. “She,” the Headmaster spoke up, “Is Young Lady Mia Corazón. Her family is one of the richest in the Coral Sea.” “Which is why you invited her,” you guessed, trying not to sound as bored as you were. To your surprise, Crowley answered, “I didn’t invite her! She wanted to see the show on her own…but there is one difficulty: her family insists that she be accompanied by at least two bodyguards at all times. Much like the Al-Asims, they’ve had…ISSUES in the past, and if their daughter is going to be on land for a spell, her parents want to make sure she’s adequately protected.” “That’s fair enough,” you supposed. “Let me guess,” sighed Grim, crossing his arms, “You want us to be the bodyguards then?” “Well, I suppose I COULD hire professionals,” Crowley murmured, scratching his chin in thought. “But they can cost a lot…I’d probably end up having to cut your pay just to-” “Forget it,” you grumbled, while Grim growled and slapped a paw to his forehead. “We’ll do it. But something is worrying me, if you don’t mind my bringing it up.” “What’s that?” “Are you sure WE’RE the right ones for this job?” you pressed, then before Crowley could speak up, you went on quickly: “We’ll do it, like I said, but…are you certain we should?” “How do you mean?” the Headmaster questioned, tilting his head. “Well, we’re not from the Coral Sea,” you explained. “Wouldn’t someone from that area be a better choice? Perhaps Azul could loan out the Leech Twins for a day!” Both Grim and Crowley looked at you as if you had grown a second skull. “…Right,” you sighed, quickly catching on. “Azul. ‘Loan’ us the Leech Twins. And us NOT expect things to go HORRIBLY wrong, one way or another. Yeah, that was a dumb suggestion, sorry.” Crowley chuckled and shook his head. “I have every confidence in you,” he said, with a wide smile. “You’ve solved so many problems in the past! And it’s only for tonight! What could possibly go wrong?” “Well, great, now something will DEFINITELY become a problem,” Grim grumbled. “Look, it’s not that I’m ungrateful,” you pressed on, “Or even that I’ve got a whole lot else to do, just…I’m worried because I don’t have magic. And Grim is…well…Grim.” “Hey!” Grim yapped indignantly. “I could roast any bad guy’s butt if they tried to get to Miss Coronation!” “Corazón,” corrected the Headmaster. “Whatever,” shrugged Grim. Crowley rolled his eyes, then turned his head upward. “You do raise a good point though, Prefect,” he conceded. “I didn’t think of that…at the very least, you two will need some help.” You were just about to agree…when suddenly, you heard Grim shiver. Both you and Crowley looked down as the cat-like demon quivered and hugged himself, the fire in his ears flickering. “Are you okay?” you asked, worriedly. “Y-Yeah,” Grim answered with a slight chattering of his teeth. “But…does anybody else feel like it suddenly got colder in here?” Now that Grim mentioned it, you DID suddenly feel a light chill crawl up and down your back…and it wasn’t too long afterward that the source of the cold made its presence known. With an authoritative BANG, the Headmaster’s office door burst open, causing both yourselves and Crowley to yelp and jump in alarm. You turned around fast, and gulped nervously as you perceived the imposing figure of Chief Jehan – the school’s head of security, garbed as ever in his military style cap and long, black trenchcoat. “Headmaster,” the darkly dressed security chief intoned, bowing his head respectfully to Dire Crowley, “Forgive this intrusion.” “Oh, it’s alright, Claude,” Crowley sighed out, then frowned. “Whatever is the matter?” “I apprehended this rule-breaking scallywag in the school cafeteria,” Jehan stated, indicating a second figure. “Ow! OW! H-Hey, let go of me, you old…! I’ll bite your legs off, you hear me?!” You and Grim were surprised to see the short, thick-hipped, green haired figure struggling in the icy grip of Claude Jehan, trying to pull away as his ear was all but being yanked from the side of his cranium. “Tock?” the two of you chorused. Tock Crockwork just snarled as Jehan glared at him. He tried to return the glower, but it came off more akin to a wounded animal trying to look tough than…well…looking tough. Crowley’s frown deepened, and he stepped past you and Grim – uttering a quiet, “One moment please” – before approaching the chief and the unruly Octavinelle student. “What is the meaning of this?” the Headmaster boomed. The Security Chief pushed Tock forward, releasing his ear. Tock stumbled a bit and caught himself, massaing his sore lobe. “This young ruffian,” Jehan explained, “Started a brawl with Mr. Bucchi over the last Deluxe Menchi Katsu Sandwich. As the latter student was merely defending himself, I felt his punishment should be more lenient; both have been banned from the cafeteria for the rest of the week…but as the one who started the whole affair…” He trailed off as Tock growled rather pathetically, looking down at the floor sullenly. Crowley scowled and hummed thoughtfully, clearly trying to determine a fitting punishment. Your eyes, as well as Grim’s, widened, and you looked to each other. “Grim,” you whispered, “Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” “I think so, Minion, but a show about a math teacher who’s also a criminal mastermind? Who’d want to watch that?” You facepalmed. “What are you two whispering about?” Jehan asked, suspiciously, as Tock and Crowley both looked to you as well. “I think I know a way to kill two birds with one stone, so to speak,” you suggested. “You mean, a way to deal with Mr. Crockwork while also dealing with your dilemna?” Crowley guessed. “Exactly.” “Dilemna? What dilemna?” Tock asked. You grinned.

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“Thanks for sticking up for me, snack meat,” Tock groused, petulantly pouting as he walked by your side. “You’re the one who decided to pick a fight with the hyena,” you shrugged. “Honestly, I think I did you a favor.” “Nya…my Minion has a point,” Grim nodded. “Do you really think things would have been better if Crowley had decided to punish you himself?” “Or worse,” you put in, grimly, “Leave you to Chief Jehan?” All three of you shuddered, and Grim even crossed himself at the mention of the security chief. “Fine, I guess that’s fair,” Tock grumbled. “But I don’t like having to protect a fish filet from harm. I eat fish!” “Well, you won’t be eating Mia Corazón,” you sniffed. “Alright…guess I’ll just have to eat YOU instead,” smirked Tock, and licked his sharp teeth. Grim mewed and hid behind your leg. You blushed. “…We’ll worry about that later,” you grumbled, making Crockwork snicker with a wicked smile. “For now, let’s focus on getting you some actual lunch.” “You ARE an actual lunch,” snorted Tock. “I am not on the menu!” you snapped, flushed with embarrassment as Tock gave you a knowing grin. “Well…not till your work is done,” he teased, winking deviously, then smirking down at Grim. “Maybe I’ll have the little hairball for an appetizer, too…” Grim hissed at being referred to as a “hairball,” but said nothing. “Do you always have to be so antagonistic?” you sighed. “It’s what keeps getting you into trouble, you know.” Tock just shrugged carelessly, hips swaying as he walked side by side with you. “So, where are we heading?” he asked. “Can’t go to the cafeteria, and the Mostro Lounge is way too expensive…” “The Mystery Shop,” you answered. “I’m sure Sam’s got something in stock for us all to snack on before we head to the beach to pick up our special guest.” “Nya! Between my fiery awesomeness, my Minion’s brains, and lizard-breath’s strength, we’ll be the best bodyguards ever!” declared Grim. “Call me ‘lizard breath’ again,” Tock warned, “And we’ll be back down to two people, fuzz-face.” “Fuzz-face?!” Grim snapped. “How’d you like to BURN off a few of those calories you’re so proud of, hah?!” “Girls, girls, you’re both pretty,” you droned. The pair glared at you, then each other…then growled in unison as they stopped. “Thank you,” you sighed with relief. “Now, let’s be on our best behavior: I don’t want Sam’s Friends to give us a hard time…” As you spoke, your little trio reached the entrance to Mr. S’s Mystery Shop, and the three of you walked inside. Aside from a simple banner reading “Happy Valentine’s Day!” over the door, the shop was completely as it usually was…at least on the outside. To be fair, once you all entered the building, the store within seemed its usual self, too; no heart-shaped décor here, only the usual assortment of voodoo accessories. The strange part came when you not only realized Sam was nowhere to be seen…but you all also noticed who was tending to the store. Or rather, what. “Crabs?” all three of you gasped in surprise. Sure enough, crawling all over the Mystery Shop was an assortment of strange white sand crabs. Their shells seemed to have been made from smooth, ivory-colored stone…and as if the presence of the pale decapods wasn’t bizarre enough, their activities certainly would have gotten some unusual reactions. A few of the crabs were straightening out and sorting through items on the shelves, making sure everything was in top-notch condition. One crab was holding a miniature broom, while the other held a dustpan, the pair of them sweeping the floor. Still another crab was changing a lightbulb, while two more – clicking their claws encouragingly – were supervising. A bunch of crabs carrying a spray bottle and a wash cloth scuttled past you all, near your feet. Yourself and Croc stepped back, but Grim – with typical feline curiosity – leaned down and actually sniffed at one of the crustaceans… “ME-YOWCH!” he yelped, and jumped back, mewling and covering his muzzle after one of the crabs pinched his nose with their pincer. The crab seemed to strut away importantly afterward. “Heh…guess the crab cake bit back, huh?” teased Tock. Grim just growled and massaged his stinging snout. “This is new,” you muttered. “Where’d all these little guys come from?” “Cruel and cold, like winds on the sea. Will you ever return to me? Hear my voice sing with the tide: My Love Will Never Die…” The melodious voice soon sang into your ears, and you and your companions looked towards the source. In a corner of the shop, a lone figure was quietly mopping, and singing the lonely, haunting sea shanty you had heard. The figure was a young and slender man, dressed in a tan-colored jacket with ruffle-ended sleeves, and a brown hip-skirt. His legs were covered by dark beige trousers, while plain brown boots were on his feet. A fishnet scarf was loosely slung about his shoulders, almost like a shawl, and an orange muscle shirt festooned his abdomen. His hair was a curious pink hue, and done up in dreadlocks. “Ahem!” you coughed, catching the young man’s attention. He froze and looked up to you, blinking his brown eyes. For a moment, you noticed there was a look of pain and something…hollow in his face, as if something inside of him was missing and he longed to get it back. An overwhelming feeling of loneliness and sorrow seemed to wash over you…but it disappeared in an instant when the youth smiled. “Oh! Ahoy there! Didn’t hear you come in,” he greeted, bowing his head respectfully as he put the mop in its bucket and then walked towards you and your group. “Can I help you?” “Well, you can start by telling us who you are, and what happened to Sam,” Grim frowned. The young man chuckled, flipping his fishnet scarf over one shoulder. “Sam is taking the day off for the holiday,” he explained, then slowly added, “I don’t…make merry on Valentine’s Day, so I volunteered to keep the shop open and do some cleaning.” “Well, that answers one question,” Tock snorted, crossing his arms over his chest and lookin the taller youth up and down. “Mind answering the other?” “Oh! Right, right,” the young fellow chuckled, and cleared his throat before giving a mock-salute and answering: “Name’s Caelyum. Caelyum De Macabre. I’m Sam’s new assistant.” “Pleased to meet you,” you smiled, and shook Caelyum’s hand, and tilted your head. “Say…can I call you Cael for short?” The young man’s smile flickered, and he paused before quietly beseeching, “I’d…rather you didn’t, thank you.” “No problem, I’m sorry,” you apologized quickly. “Not at all, not at all,” the young man chuckled, and straightened his stance, recovering quickly. “So! What can I do for you, me hearties? Supplies, clothes?” “Food,” growled Tock. “I’m STARVING.” Caelyum chuckled and jabbed a thumb to one part of the shop. “You’ll find everything you need in that direction.” Tock nodded, and sashayed in the direction De Macabre had indicated. Caelyum smiled back at you and Grim in the meantime. “You’re the Prefect of Ramshackle Dorm, right?” he guessed. “That’s right,” you nodded. “It’s nice to meet you, then,” Caelyum smiled. “Sam’s told me all about you: he says you’re his favorite customer.” “He says that about everyone,” Grim snorted. Caelyum chuckled and knelt down. He extended a hand carefully. Grim sniffed it carefully…then smiled and allowed the shopkeeper’s assistant to pet him softly. “You have a beautiful singing voice,” you couldn’t help but comment. Caelyum looked up in surprise…then blushed a bit. “Oh, uh…you heard a little of that, did you?” he chuckled with embarrassment. “Nya! It sounded really sad, but…it was also really nice,” Grim mewed. “Thanks,” Caelyum said as he stood back up to his full height. “What song was that?” you asked, curiously. “I’ve never heard it before. Is it from your homeland?” Caelyum’s smile fell, and he looked askance. “Not exactly,” he murmured, then informed you aloud, in a matter-of-fact way: “It’s a song from the Coral Sea. I come from the Jubilee Port, near the Swamplands: same place as Sam. A…friend taught the song to me.” Catching the hitch in his voice, you smiled sympathetically. “It sounds like you two were close.” “We were,” Caelyum said softly. “Very.” “Nya…what happened?” Grim asked. Caelyum paused…then shrugged. “They left,” was all he said. Sensing the sensitive subject, you decided to drop the matter; Grim caught on and did the same. “How long have you been working for Sam? I haven’t seen you around before.” “Not long,” shrugged Caelyum, seemingly grateful the subject had changed. “He and I have some similar interests, and when I joined Night Raven, I applied for work.” “Oh, so you’re a first year?” “Yep.” “What house? Octavinelle?” you guessed, wondering why Tock wouldn’t have recognized the youth if so. “Scarabia, actually and weirdly enough,” laughed Caelyum, as if the placement struck him as some sort of very funny joke…he paused then leaned in and whispered: “Um…is it just me, or is the dorm head of that house a little…you know…how would you say it…?” “Too pure and innocent for this cruel, unholy world?” “…Yeah, that.” “Yes. Yes, he very much is.” The two of you were interrupted by the sound of Tock snarling in the food aisles. You all turned to see him trying to pry a bag of chips out of the pincers of one of the crabs, who looked very insulted to be interrupted in his work. “Hey! Can somebody make this crab cake let go?!” he snapped. “Oh, sorry!” Caelyum called out, and then snapped his fingers. Suddenly, every single crab inside the building froze…and then their claws and extremities retracted into their shells, leaving only a series of what looked like smooth, white stones scattered around the shop. With a second snap of his fingers, the stone crabs disappeared; there was no puff of smoke or flash of light. One second they were there…the next, they were not. Grim whistled, impressed. “Nice trick,” he murmured. “Is that your Unique Magic?” you asked. “Yep,” Caelyum nodded. “They’re called Locker Crabs, and you’d be surprised the kinds of things I can do with them…” “Cool!” Grim commented. “Hey, Tock!” you called out, hearing the rustling of snack food bags. “Leave some stuff for the rest of us, and hurry up! We need to get to the beach quickly!” “I’m hurrying, snack meat, I’m hurrying!” Tock called back dismissively. “The beach?” Caelyum spoke up, looking interested. “Why are you three heading there? What’s so important?” “We’re on a mission!” Grim cheered, puffing out his chest once more. “Oh, really?” smirked Caelyum, looking amused, and scoffed as he moved behind the front desk. “What for? Some sort of Valentine’s Day meeting, or something?” You frowned, sensing a bitterness to two particular words. “You mentioned you don’t make merry on Valentine’s Day,” you said slowly, approaching the desk and leaning on it. “What do you…y’know…have against it?” “Hm?” Caelyum murmured, then shrugged as he leaned back against the shelves behind the front desk. “Oh, well, it’s…not the day itself. More what it represents.” “Nya? What do you mean?” Grim asked, tilting his head. A shadow seemed to fall over Caelyum’s face, and he looked askance. Something icy and stormy flickered across his features. “Love,” he said, as if the word were some repellent toxin. You and Grim shared a look, then looked back to Caelyum. “Love is a lie,” Caelyum went on, seemingly talking more to himself than to either of you. “It’s like a parasite that burrows into your chest…and even once the sickness it spreads is cured, something in there remains, keeping you from ever knowing real peace. It pulls you along a blind alley, and just when you feel safe, it stabs you in every place it hurts most, and then leaves you to either heal on your own or die. It weakens your defenses, and confuses your resolve. And yet every year, every time this day comes around…I just see people acting like it’s the best thing in the universe.” He shuddered violently, looking positively ill. Grim meowed almost sadly. “I think love is mushy and gross, but…I don’t think it’s THAT bad,” he mewed. His words seemed to snap Caelyum out of it. The witch doctor’s assistant glanced up at you both…and, with a light chuckle, his helpful, friendly smile returned, the shadows departing in an instant. “Well…being mushy and gross doesn’t help,” he joked. Grim sniggered. Your own expression didn’t change, even as the employee leaned forward again. “Seriously, though, what IS your mission?” “We’re gonna be bodyguards!” Grim announced joyously. “Bodyguards?” “There’s a special guest coming to the show on campus tonight,” you explained. “The Headmaster assigned the three of us to look after her, since she’s a VIP.” “A really RICH VIP,” Grim added. “That’s our Headmaster,” Caelyum scoffed with a roll of his eyes. “So, who is this special guest?” “Mia Corazón.” Caelyum’s smile vanished, as if it had been smacked off his face. “Mia…Corazón?” he repeated. “Nya? Do you know her?” Grim asked. Caelyum didn’t answer, looking away; that hollow, haunted stare came to his face as he seemed lost in another world. “Mia Corazón,” he repeated again, then let out a soft, slightly hysterical laugh. “Of all the cursed days of the year…she chooses now…” Before you could ask what was wrong, Tock came lumbering over, arms loaded with various snacks and drinks. “There! That should be enough for all of us…or at least, for me,” he grinned, flashing you a wink that would have made you blush in an instant if your mind weren’t on other matters. He looked towards the assistant…then frowned, eyes narrowing. “Hey…who are you upset with?” The words once again snapped the brooding Caelyum out of it. He looked at Tock with surprise…then shook his head fast and brushed some of his pink hair away from his face. “No one. Nothing,” he insisted, and forced his smile back onto his face. “Now! Let’s, uh…let’s ring this up, aye?” In casual, business-like fashion, Caelyum charged Tock; you were grateful for the recent raise Crowley had given you as you paid for it all. The three of you then left the shop. Just before you exited, you turned to bid Caelyum one last farewell. He smiled and waved back… …But the moment you left, the darkness flooded his face once more, and he looked away, eyes smoldering like hot coals as he reached into his shirt… …Revealing the silver locket that was around his neck. The same sort in the photo Crowley had given you. The young man’s face became cold as an iceberg once more as he opened the locket…and sang to the tune the music box inside played. “Wild and strong, you can’t be contained. Never bound, nor ever chained. Wounds you caused will never mend, and you will never end…”

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“Why did you ask him that question?” Tock Crockwork belched and grunted as he finished up his lunch, licking and sucking on his fingers before looking to you, cheeks bulging as he still chewed his food. “Whuh queshun?” he mumbled out through a full mouth. “About why he was upset?” Grim spoke up, tilting his head. “I mean, he certainly looked upset, so…” “That wasn’t the question he asked though,” you clarified to Grim, then looked to Tock. “You specifically asked, ‘WHO are you upset WITH?’” Tock swallowed and let out a hiccupping burp before speaking. “Mph…yeah, and?” he grunted, patting his stomach and licking his lips free of any crumbs from the sandwich he had devoured. “Well…why did you assume he was upset with someone?” “I didn’t assume, I knew,” snorted Tock, and slung his arms behind his head as the three of you neared the beach of Sage Island. “That was the same look I saw in the mirror every day when I thought of Leona, or those boys back home.” Knowing what had happened in his conflict with Leona, you gulped at Tock Crockwork’s words. “Well, I hope he wasn’t mad at us,” murmured Grim. You smiled thinly; you had a very good idea you knew who Caelyum was mad at, given the context of things…and you were very much hoping you were wrong. You had the sinking feeling those hopes would be dashed as the three of you drew closer to the beach…and a familiar-sounding song, accompanied by the tinkling notes of a music box, drifted through the greenery and into your ears… “Over waves and deep in the blue; I will give up my heart for you. Ten long years I’ll wait to go by: My Love Will Never Die.” The source of the singing soon became clear as you pushed past the last few bushes of the wilderness and stepped onto the open, sunny beach. There was a single white bench nearby; standing beside the bench was a man in what looked like an almost Spartan uniform…and seated upon it was a young woman, with dark skin and long, black hair, dressed in a red and gold dress. In one of her hands, she lifted the pendant of a locket; the source of the music box tune. The lady snapped the locket shut, and she and her chaperone turned fast when they heard yourself and your companions approaching. She smiled, chocolate-toned eyes lighting up with interest. “Oh, hello!” she chuckled, seemingly a bit embarrassed at being caught in her reverie, and stood up as her suspicious compatriot narrowed his eyes at you. “Are you…my bodyguards?” “Yes, ma’am!” chirruped Grim, proudly. “Mia Corazón, I presume?” you smiled, respectfully. “That is right,” the young woman greeted, bowing her head in matching respect and lowering her locket. “It’s a pleasure to meet you.” “Wait a minute…why do you need us to guard you?” Tock spoke up, and pointed to the Spartan-looking fellow. “Wouldn’t he be enough?” “Oh, that’s Firme. He actually has a date with his wife,” Mia answered, giving the man a teasing smile.

The guard blushed. “Miss Corazón, not in front of civlians!” he pleaded. Mia chuckled. “Sorry, Firme,” she apologized. “Now go on; I know she’s waiting for you.” Firme nodded gratefully, then glared at the three of you more seriously. “Protect her at any cost; we’re depending on you,” he ordered. “Aww, don’t worry, we’ll keep the little fishstick safe!” Tock smirked, cracking his knuckles and neck. “You can start by NOT calling her ‘fishstick,’” you droned, noting the nervous look on Mia’s face and the anger on Firme’s. You gave both an apologetic smile. “Sorry. He’s half-crocodile. Trust me, though, he’s a softy when you get to know him.” “HEY! I AM NOT!” snapped Tock, angrily. Grim just giggled. The interaction and your promise seemed to relax both denizens of the Coral Sea. Firme bowed to Mia, and then walked towards the beach…and kept walking, straight into the sea, until his head disappeared under the waves. “Well!” Mia smiled, and cheerily hurried towards your group. “Can we go see the show now? I don’t wanna be late!” “Of course…um…Your Excellency?” “Oh, don’t bother with titles like that,” the girl giggled. “Just call me Mia! Everybody does!” “Okay, Mia,” you chuckled, quite liking her warmth and energy. “Follow us, and stay close.” “I will,” Mia promised as the three of you set off along the beach. “Thank you, by the way; I hope this doesn’t cause you too much trouble.” “Quite the opposite,” grumbled Grim, remembering what Crowley had said earlier. “Why do you wanna see some silly show anyway?” sneered Tock. “Oh, it’s not silly!” exclaimed Mia. “The story of the Sea Witch and the Little Mermaid is important among my people…and besides, I think theater is exciting! I always enjoy seeing it!” “Hopefully our show won’t disappoint,” you smiled. Tock just rolled his eyes and scoffed. “I still think it’s for wimps,” he mumbled…then abruptly froze. The rest of you stopped, too, looking to the croc boy as he sniffed the air and growled. “What is it?” Mia asked. “Something wrong?” “Very,” Tock nodded. “We are being watched.” “How do you know?” you asked. “Instinct? Intuition?” Tock growled and narrowed his eyes, looking at you determinedly. “No, meat. We. Are. Being. Watched.” “By who?” whispered Mia, nervously. “I have an idea,” you murmured with some dread. Before Mia could comment on your remark, all three of you heard a sharp yelp, and turned to see that Grim had inexplicably toppled over. The feline-like creature sat up and massaged his bumped noggin. “Owwww,” he moaned. “What happened?” Mia asked, sounding concerned. “I dunno!” Grim whined out. “Just…s-something seemed to come up from under me and…” “GAHR!” You jumped as, right on cue, Tock toppled over as well. Then it was your turn, as you felt something shift under the sand where you stood, and you dropped to the ground. The wind was knocked out of you for a moment, but you managed to sit up just in time to see three large, round humps in the sand…which seemed to move of their own accord. The three humps began to trace a path, circling Mia, who froze up and squeaked like a mouse, clearly confused and frightened. It only got worse when, suddenly, more and more humps seemed to appear out nowhere: at least a dozen or more, which shot through the sand, burrowing through it with a barely-audible scraping sound… …Then, dust flew up as the shapes burst from the ground. As the dust cleared, you and your friends watched wide-eyed as a consortium of familiar white crabs toppled Mia Corazón, and – working together to lift her, carried her off across the beachside. “HEY! PUT ME DOWN! STOP!” Mia cried out, but the crabs wouldn’t listen, and soon vanished from sight. “Nya…we’re off to a good start with this job,” sighed Grim dismally. “After them!” you barked, and leapt to your feet as you dashed after Mia and her arthropoid captors, Grim hot on your heels. Tock grumbled sourly as he dusted himself off then jogged after you. “Taking orders from my lunch…I’m gonna eat that stupid, mask-wearing, feather-loving…!”

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Mia cried out as the crabs carried her along the sand, her “volunteer” bodyguards soon out of sight. She tried to fight free, but the crabs pinched and held her fast, keeping her in place. She wasn’t sure how far or for how long they carried her…but suddenly they stopped, and she let out an “eep!” as they moved into a pillar, and pushed her up, allowing her to stand. The mermaid-in-disguise turned around, panting for breath as she watched the crabs swarm about each other…then, they seemed to coalesce and mesh together; their pale shells took on more colors; hints of pink, brown, and orange… …Until, finally, standing before her was a familiar young man with dreadlocks and a fishnet scarf. In his hand, he held a heart-shaped silver locket. “Come my love, be one with the sea. Rule with me for eternity. Drown all dreams so mercilessly, and leave their souls to me.” He snapped the locket shut at the end of the verse, and paused before uttering, in a mechanical, robotic tone, two words: “Ahoy, Mia.” Mia blinked slowly, absolutely stunned. “…C-Cael?” Caelyum blinked back and said nothing, his face emotionless and blank. Mia slowly smiled, her eyes lighting up…then squealed with joy and rushed forward, throwing her arms around the young man…who stood stiff and rigid, not even looking at her, as she hugged him close. “CAEL! I…oh, Gods, what do I even say?! It’s…it’s been so long…I’ve missed you so much! Where have you been?! Cael…Cael, I-I’m so happy…!” “Let. Go. Of. Me. You. BITCH.” Mia gasped as Caelyum harshly pushed her back, nearly knocking her over. Her heart sank as she stared at the young man, who glared at her, grinding his teeth and clenching his fists. She looked deeply hurt…and not because of the push. “Cael?” she whispered. “Cael…wh-what’s wrong? Why…why are you upset with me?” Cael’s eyes flashed with anger. “What’s wrong?! Why am I upset?!” he repeated. “What in Hades do you THINK is wrong?!” Mia flinched as the boy from the swamplands’ voice rose to a perfect scream. Cautiously, steadily, she approached. “Cael…please…I-I don’t understand. I…I’ve wanted to see you again for such a long time, and now-” “How DARE you?!” shouted Caelyum, silencing the aristocratic mermaid. “How dare you say something like that to me?! After what you did to me, do you expect to believe you’ve ever cared?!” “I…what…I do care!” Mia pleaded, and tears began to twinkle in her eyes. “Cael, what are you talking about?” Cael laughed; a dangerously unhinged, malicious sound. “Oh-ho-ho, you know EXACTLY what I’m talking about! You should!” he spat…then, the bitterness was replaced by pain as he went on. “Two years, Mia. Two years I waited, and you never returned. You…y-you broke your promise to me…and did you ever think of me in those two years? Did you think of me even once in all the time since, until now?” Cael’s eyes began to brim with tears of his own; he was shaking. Mia felt her heart sinking further in her chest. “Of course I did,” she said, softly. “You’re…you’re my best friend.” One could almost hear Caelyum’s last heartstring break. “Best friend,” he repeated, in a dead, soulless voice…then hung his head. “You still don’t get it, do you, Mia? You broke my heart, Corazón…” Head still hung low, dreadlocks casting shadow over his eyes, Caelyum De Macabre lifted one arm, and snapped his fingers…and Mia nervously stepped back as a swarm of crabs appeared to trail across his arm and mesh together…forming a silver cutlass. “…And now, I’m going to break yours. Literally.” Ominously, Caelyum began to approach. Mia felt panic rise in her, and started to back away…then yiped, almost comically, as she tripped on her own dress and tumbled back. “C-Cael…Cael, PLEASE!” she cried out, as the boy loomed over her, his face twisted in anger as he began to lift the sword above his head… “HEY! BACK OFF!” FWOOSH! A jet of blue flame shot between Mia Corazón and Cael De Macabre; the lad from the swamplands jumped back, then growled angrily, turning to face the source. You had finally arrive, with Grim at your side, both of you glaring at the bokor’s assistant. “That’s enough, Caelyum,” you warned. Cael sneered. “It’s not enough,” he hissed, “Until she endures the same amount of PAIN and AGONY I HAVE!” With a roar, he rounded about to try and strike Mia down…then froze in place when he found she had seemingly disappeared. Startled and caught greatly off guard, he was unable to avoid the green scaled fist that grabbed hold of the back of his jacket, and cried out as, with a roar, the owner of the fist hurled about seven feet away, sending him rolling through the send. His sword spun through the air before stabbing into the ground right at the edge of the shore. Caelyum coughed and snarled and spat as he got onto his hands and knees…then glared as he found Tock Crockwork – now in his full “true form” – glaring at him, fangs and claws bared. “Keep away from the fishstick, swamp meat,” he spat. “Thank you,” Mia whispered. Tock just smirked at her – somewhat cockily but not cruelly – then glarde back at Caelyum as yourself and Grim moved to stand beside him, all of you making sure to create a barrier before poor Mia. Cael rose to his feet shakily. “Leave her alone, Caelyum,” you said. “This is not your fight!” he snapped back. “Uh…yeah, it kinda is,” Grim snorted. “We told you, this is our job today!” “You don’t know who you’re protecting,” Cael viciously sneered, his shoulders trembling with fury, his fingers clenched so tight that his knuckles turned white as the bones under his skin. “She cursed me!” “Cursed you?!” Mia exclaimed. “Caelyum, I never did ANYTHING to you!” “Yes, you did!” Cael answered…and gulped back a sob before explaining: “You made me love you.” All eyes widened; you and your friends looked to Mia, then back at Caelyum. “Ohhhh…now the pieces are coming together,” Grim murmured. “I know the look in your eyes, meat, and it’s not love,” Tock said, darkly. “Not love as it should be, anyway.” “Cael…I-I’m so sorry,” Mia quavered. “Of course you’re sorry,” Cael scoffed. “Everyone’s sorry when it’s too late.” So saying, he lifted his hand…and the sword that had stabbed into the ground “dissolved” into a group of crabs. They scurried across the beach, crawled up his side…and reformed into a cutlass in his grasp once more. “Put the weapon away, Caelyum!” you beseeched. “It doesn’t have to be like this!” “Yes it does!” Cael yelled. “Don’t you get it?! I can’t be free! I’ll always remember! I’ll always feel that pain! Love is a curse; a curse that hurts me, every day of my existence…but after today, I’m going to change that.” He closed his eyes. You had a bad feeling you knew what you’d see when he opened them again…and you were correct. One of his eyes was suddenly surrounded by a fiery aura. “Today, I break the curse.” KA-ZAM! The familiar black cloud of Overblot surrounded the shopkeeper’s boy. Blue and orange light flashed in the gaps between the vapor as it swirled around the fellow from the swamplands…until finally, the mist parted. When it did, you all found that Caelyum De Macabre had gone through an alarming transformation. His brown-tinted clothes had vanished, replaced with a blue-gray uniform like a navy seaman. One of his arms was stuck into the sleeve of a long, tattered cerulean coat with gold lining, which hung about his shoulders almost like a cape. A blood red sash was lashed about his middle. While his left eye was surrounded by orange aura, a tattoo had appeared over his right, in the image of a pirate medallion. His dreadlocks had transformed into a head of writhing, wriggling, pinkish-purple tentacles, like those of a squid; each tendril’s tip was smeared with ink. His left arm had become a white crab claw, ink oozing from its joins; his right leg had become a crab’s leg, too, and was also oozing with Blot. A single black boot covered his one human foot…and he still held his cutlass in his one human hand. Cael grinned viciously, pupils pinpricks as he pointed his sword at you. “Yo-Ho, me hearties!” he bellowed. “Shiver ‘em from stem to stern!” At these words, the ground before his feet seemed to ripple…and then, a swarm of Locker Crabs came scrambling from the ground, racing towards your group. “I’ll take care of this!” Grim pronounced, and summoned a wall of flame. As the fire struck the crabs, they vanished in a cloud of silver smoke…but more just kept coming! Caelyum laughed and began to move towards your group, swaggering as the point of his crab-leg stabbed into the ground repeatedly. Seeing the approaching dark mage, Grim paused to hurl a fireball in his direction…only for Cael to split in half, crab legs showing in the “seam” of his being, as the fireball hurtled past without causing any harm. He stitched himself back together and kept moving forward, as if nothing had happened. Tock Crockwork roared and charged at Cael, swinging a punch at him…but De Macabre simply swept up his crab claw and, in a fluid, wrenching motion, whirled Tock about and flung him to the beach floor. He grinned with deranged excitement as he moved closer to yourself and Mia, leaving Tock to choke in the dust. “Hold them off, Grim!” you called out as he continued to scorch the crabs. “I’ll try!” Grim called back. “Run for it, Minion! RUN NOW!” And you did, holding onto Mia’s arm as you dragged her after yourself. With a wild laugh, Caelyum lifted his sword up…and then “melted” into a swarm of crabs, which scurried after the two of you as you raced along the beach. Behind you, Tock snarled, clutching his banged skull as he watched the horde of crabs vanish. He angrily kicked away a few that Grim didn’t manage to stop, and then charged forward. Grim panted; he was already growing weary. “I…I can’t hold them off!” he meowed. “There’s…there’s too many-EEP!” “Stop whining and shut up,” snarled Tock, whisking Grim up in one arm and sprinting on, the pair pursued by the remaining Locker Crabs. “We’ve got more important things to worry about, come on!” Unaware that your friends were on the chase, you hurried along with Mia Corazón. The crabs that made up Cael’s being clicked and scraped behind you with a deeply unsettling sound, urging you to go faster and faster. “Wait!” Mia gasped. “If…I…can…talk…to him…!” “I don’t think he’s in a mood to talk!” you replied. “Right now, all we can do is…!” You trailed off and stopped short as the crabs suddenly caught up with you…and then moved around you, reforming in front of you into a column. Thinking fast you looked around… …And were just in time to grab hold of sturdy tree branch, as a sword reshaped and then stabbed at you. You barely had a moment to parry the strike, the blade cutting a notch into the wooden limb you held. “Stay behind me!” you hissed to Mia, as Cael reformed fully. “So, it’s a duel then?” Cael cackled. “Alright! EN GARDE!” You yelped, instinctively blocking as the sword slashed at you once more. The slash was followed by a lunge; you jumped back quickly and parried that strike, too. CLING-CLANG-CLING-CLANG! The cutlass and the branch clattered against each other, the sound of the steel against wood that was tougher than it looked ringing out. Each time Cael tried to get around you to lunge at Mia, you blocked his path. You laughed softly, amazed you were holding out; guess one didn’t know how good they’d be at something like a swordfight till they tried! You ducked another slash, and responded by swinging your stick around. WHACK! Caelyum reeled as you managed to smack him across the face…then slowly turned back. He looked…annoyed. “Ow,” was all he said, almost sarcastically, before swinging his blade around again. You quickly lifted your branch… SWACK! And gulped nervously as the cutlass sliced it clean in half. “Oh, boy.” “HA HA!” laughed Cael, and lifted his crab leg, kicking you hard in the stomach. You coughed, dazed and winded as you crumpled to the ground. Now, nothing was standing between the enraged Caelyum and his prey: Mia. The mermaid with legs began to back away in fright…then cried out sharply as Cael thrust out his crab claw and grabbed her by the throat with it. A grin of evil triumph spread across his face as he lifted his weapon above his head. “And here we are at last,” he crooned with twisted delight, and squeezed, making Mia gasp for air. “Any last words, my dear?” Mia gulped…and looked pleadingly into the Swamplander’s eyes as she uttered five simple words. “Cael…please…I love you!” Just before the last three words were uttered, Cael had prepared to attack…but then he froze. The grip of his pincer loosened as she said those three golden words, and the demented smile vanished from his face. He hesitated, as if those words had caused something in his brain to just shut down… Which was all the opportunity you needed. CRACK! “GAH!” exclaimed Caelyum, and dropped Mia, who coughed as she hit the ground. His tentacle hairdo wriggled like a horde of angry snakes as he glared at you in rage: the stone you had thrown at his shoulder had hurt! With a furious roar, he swung his sword around his head three times, trying to cut you into pieces. You ducked and dodged each strike as fast as you could…only to fall back as Cael summoned a horde of sand crabs. You squirmed and grimaced as the crabs pinned you to the ground, acting like organic shackles. You winced as each time you moved, they pinched you hard, making you stay still. Caelyum smirked victoriously, and pointed the tip of his cutlass at your heart. “Tell me, Prefect,” he taunted. “Do you fear death?” “Do you?” CHOMP! Caelyum began to turn around towards the voice, his face etched with surprise…and stayed perfectly still, as if he’d become a statue, paralyzed in shock. The red marking of Tock Crockwork’s unique power – One Minute to Die – was evident on his left arm. “NOW!” the crocodile shouted, as Grim hurried over. The feline-like creature wasted no time: he focused his power, a bright blue aura surrounding him…before, with a spiteful hiss, sending a huge jet of flame towards Caelyum. Caelyum was sent flying through the air, clothing scorched, and rolled across the dirt, still in the position he had been stuck in. Only a few seconds later, he convulsed, and groaned, trying to stand up… …Only to find Tock looming over him. “This,” the crocodile hissed, “Is why I’M top of the food chain, snack meat!” WHAM! He spun around, slapping his tail across Cael’s face…and the Overblotting mage fell still and silent, rendered swiftly unconscious. The sword disappeared without warning from his hand, as if it had never been there. The crabs he had summoned all vanished in the blink of an eye: just like at the shop, one moment they were there, and the next they were not. All four of you – yourself, Mia, and your friends – sighed with relief. “Thanks,” you nodded to Tock as he helped you to your feet. “Hey, I’ve gotta protect my territory; that includes you,” Crockwork shrugged. You decided not to comment on that. “Are you okay, Miss Corazón?” meowed Grim, nuzzling up against the mermaid’s side. She smiled weakly and patted his head before standing. “Physically, yes,” she said. The teenaged girl’s eyes then lit up with concern as she hurried over to Cael’s side. “Cael…Cael, are you okay? S-Speak to me!” she pleaded. “He just tried to kill you!” Grim snapped out. “He wasn’t thinking straight,” Mia defended him. “Just…h-he didn’t understand…” She sniffled and bowed her head. “…C-Caelyum…I’m so sorry…” You and Grim shared a sad sort of look. Tock just looked confused, above all else. “What happened between you two?” the croc grimaced, crossing his scaly arms. “I think we’re about to find out,” you said, and pointed as silver mist began to wisp off of Caelyum De Macabre’s form. A moment later, a blinding white light surrounded the young man…and the mist formed a cloud, inside of which – as always seemed to happen – pictures from the past began to appear… “Tag! You’re it!” “I’ll get you! Ha Ha Ha!” In the swamplands of the Jubilee Port, a small boy with pink dreadlocks giggled and hid behind a tree by the riverbank. For several seconds, he sat anxiously…then yelped when, out of the river burst a familiar, dark face with flowing raven hair. “GOTCHA!” sang out the girl with the gold and ruby tail, and reached out a hand to playfully tap his shoulder. “No fair!” huffed the boy. “I always have to stay near the water; you never let me have an advantage!” The girl giggled and smirked teasingly. “Not my fault you’re a lousy swimmer,” she cooed. The boy grumbled and pouted. She smiled gently. “I’m sorry, Cael; I didn’t mean it,” she said, placing a hand on his leg… “AHA!” the boy laughed, and tapped her hand before jumping away. “You’re it again!” “HEY! THAT’S CHEATING!” The two laughed as the girl swam through the river, chasing the bayou boy up and down the banks…before finally leaping out of the river with a victorious cry. “RAAAAH!” “EEK!” Young Caelyum yelped as he was thrown to the ground. The girl with the fish tail grinned, flippers wagging happily as she kept him pinned. “Gotcha again!” she sang out. Young Cael giggled and wiggled under her. “Hey, lemme go!” he demanded with a slight laugh. “Hmmmm…if I do, will you just tag me again?” “…Maybe?” The mermaid glared…and tickled her friend with her tail. Cael squealed with laughter before flashing an evil smile. “Ohhhhh, you wanna play that way, huh?” He tickled her back and the two rolled across the bank…before yelping and splashing into the river. A moment later, both rose from the depths Caelyum coughing and floundering. “Help! Mia, help! I’m drowning!” “I’ve got you, hold on!” Mia said, and helped Cael back to shore. The boy sighed with relief and began to wring out his clothes. “Thank you,” he gasped out. “No problem,” Mia smiled. “I’m sorry you got all wet…” “It’s okay; I’ve got other clothes,” Cael smiled. Mia nodded, then smiled a bit more sadly. “I still should have been more careful: there may be more clothes, but there’s only one Caelyum.” Cael blushed. “Hush, you’re just teasing me now…” “No. I’m not,” Mia said seriously. “You’re my best friend, Cael.” Cael blinked, pausing in his activities. “…But…don’t you have other mermaid friends?” “I may have OTHER friends, but you’re my BEST friend,” smiled Mia. “And there’s only one of you. I don’t know what I’d do without you.” Cael blinked again…then smiled sentimentally. “Heh…well, um…you’re my best friend, too, Mia. And, uh…a-and I feel the same.” “I’m glad,” Mia smiled. A pause. “You should really suck less at swimming though.” “Oh, hush. Say! Maybe you can teach me?” “Sure!” That word seemed to be a cue, for the scene changed to a few years later; the same river on the bayou, the same boy and girl, just a little older. “MARCO!” “POLO!” The Mermaid floated with her upper half above the water, eyes closed, flapping her tail as she blindly searched for her friend. Cael would pop up now and again with a gleaming, gloating grin as he watched her try to find him: he’d learned to swim VERY well in the years since that time playing tag. “MARCO!” Mia called out again. “POLO!” laughed Cael. “Oh, this is impossible, you’re too fast!” “Suck less at swimming,” teased Caelyum. “I’m a MERMAID, all we DO is swim!” “You can walk!” “I need a potion or a spell for that,” huffed Mia, and turned around, trying to feel about for her friend. Cael smirked and dove under again, swimming cautiously around her in the wide river… …But as he popped up again, he was due for a terrible sight. He gasped as he saw Mia blindly reaching closer to the shore…where a venomous serpent glared at her oncoming form almost hungrily… “MARCO!” “MIA, WATCH OUT!” Confused, Mia opened her eyes…then gasped as she saw the snake rearing back to bite her! She pulled away just in time, and at the same moment, Cael glared and snapped his fingers. The snake heard a clicking noise, and turned its head to find a white crab snapping its pincers. The pincers swung towards its throat… SNICKER-SNACK! And that was the end of the snake. Mia swam back to Caelyum’s side as she snapped his fingers again and the crab disappeared. He hugged her close. “Are you okay?” he whispered, worriedly. “Yeah…i-it didn’t get me,” she panted with relief, and squeezed him tightly. “Thank…th-thank you…” Caelyum smiled warmly and returned the hug…then froze up as Mia leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. “Thank you,” she said again, and nuzzled against his bare chest. Cael blinked…then blushed red as a tomato and grumbled. “…Hey, what are friends for…? More time passed, and the swamp disappeared. The scene now became a lonely pier. On it sat Caelyum and Mia, who was now in full human form. “Do you really have to go?” he whispered. Mia nodded sadly, hanging her head. Cael bit his lip, and looked away, tragedy in his eyes. “…When…w-when will you be back?” he asked, timidly. “I don’t know,” Mia admitted sadly, then smiled gently up at her friend. “My mother said I need to start learning more about the family business; spending less time on land and…well…with you.” Cael frowned and clenched his fists. “I see.” Mia’s smile fell…and she gave Caelyum a hug. He relaxed. “She’s set in her ways,” she said softly. “But I will never forget you. And I WILL come back.” “Do you promise?” “Of course. You’re my best friend,” smiled Mia…then reached into a bag she had with her, stationed between the two. “Here…I have proof…” Cael tilted his head as out of the bag she pulled two silver necklaces with heart shaped lockets. She gave him one, and clasped the other around her neck. “What is this?” Cael asked, crinkling his nose in confusion. “A sign that we both share the same heart,” Mia said, and giggled. “That’s the really sappy way of saying it, anyway. Put it on and open it!” Cael did, and at the same time he opened the locket, Mia did too…and soft, beautiful melody chimed from the music box contained. Caelyum’s eyes widened. “That’s the song you taught me,” he recognized, and looke dup to Mia. “The one about the pirate and the goddess of the sea?” Mia nodded. “It’s your favorite…my favorite…OUR favorite,” she said gently, and took Cael’s hands in hers, looking into his eyes with deep-rooted affection. “And as long as we share these lockets, share these songs…we’ll never truly be away from each other.” Caelyum smiled weakly. “I don’t know about that,” he chuckled, wryly. “But…thank you, Mia.” He paused. “You…you know I love you…right?” Mia blushed. “Yes. And I love you too.” Cael gaped. “You do?” “Of course, silly! You’re my best friend!” Cael blinked…then smiled and shook his head wearily. “Yeah…I know,” he said softly. “I…I know.” A pause…and the pair began to sing together to the mingled tune on their music boxes as they watched the sun sink on the horizon beyond the sea. “Warm and welcoming as the sea, someday I will return to thee. Hear my voice, sing with the tide: Our Love Will Never Die.” Time passed once more, but the music box still played. The next scene played in silence, as Cael lay on his bed silently one night. He hummed to the tune on the locket, and glanced sorrowfully towards a calendar on his wall. Every date was crossed out with a red X. He sighed…then snapped the locket shut…before a lightbulb seemed to go off over his head, and he reached towards his book case, grabbing a specific spell book… This short tableaux was followed by another as Caelyum was now found…underwater. His lower half had become a white-scaled fish’s tail as he swam through the water, using a spell that would turn him into a merman for a few short hours. He’d taken a boat out to the coordinates where he knew Mia lived. Now, he swam quickly and quietly through the city, looking for Mia. His eyes darted this way and that, seeking some sign of his long lost friend; two years without any sort of contact – never a call, never anything written – and he was now so close to seeing her again! He smiled wider as he moved into one of the higher rent neighborhoods of the underwater area, carefully brushing past other, natural merfolk going about their business. His heart was beating fast in his chest; when he found her, he’d tell her everything. How he felt, how much it hurt to be without her, how much he never wanted to be separated again! Then he found her, as he turned an alley…and that fast beating heart seemed to skip a beat… …As his face filled with sorrow. Only yards away – never noticing he was there, he saw a strong, burly-looking merman with blonde hair…hugging his Mia and kissing her full on the lips. He clamped his eyes shut…and swam away, out of the city and back towards the surface. His tears were lost with the tides. Thus ended the vision, as the blinding light faded, leaving an unconscious Caelyum De Macabre lying on the ground, back to his usual self. “…Prefect?” “Yeah, Grim?” “Is it, like…a requirement that we stand here for several seconds in total silence after we see those?” “No, I think it just happens.” “Ah. Okay then.” Tock Crockwork said nothing. A few moments later, Cael groaned and began to stir. He blinked his eyes and clutched his pink-haired head as he started to sit up. “Ugh…what…wh-what happened?” he slurred out. “You tried to turn my food into shish-kabob,” droned Tock, thumbing towards you. “Shut up,” you grumbled. Confused, Cael turned towards your voices, and looked about to say something…until he heard sniffling and whimpering. He turned…and found the teary-eyed face of Mia staring back at him. “C-Cael,” she whimpered…then let out a squealing cry that caught him off guard as she threw herself upon him and began to cry. “CAEL, I’M SO SORRY! I’m so, so sorry…please…please, I’m sorry, PLEASE…!” Caelyum, as you might imagine, looked beyond uncomfortable…and with a growl, he managed to push Mia off of him. She whimpered like a kicked puppy as, without a word, he got to his feet and turned away from her, one hand on his chest, clutching his silver locket. “Sorry isn’t enough,” he answered, coldly. Mia gulped…and stood up. “Cael…please don’t walk away,” she begged. “Why not?” Caelyum snarled back over his shoulder, and began to stumble away. “Because I love you!” Cael stopped. He didn’t turn around…but he stopped. Mia paused…and took a deep breath. “I love you,” she said, firmly now, not desperately. “I…I always loved you, but…but I was…I don’t know, I…I was worried…” She hung her head and paused before going on. Cael turned his head slightly to show he was listening. “When I returned to the sea, my mother didn’t want me to ever go back to the land. She forbid it. She told me I had to stay under the water, and…and find a proper husband. She told me to forget about you, and…that merman you saw? He was…my betrothed.” Cael growled. “WAS,” Mia pointed out, and then went on quickly: “Cael, I could NEVER forget you, and I could NEVER stop loving you. Those two years…they were agony for me. That time in the alley…I asked him to kiss me because I wanted to show him we WEREN’T right for each other. He agreed; there just…wasn’t a spark. We liked each other, but…we both knew it would be wrong.” She swallowed, and lifted her head. “So…we both spoke to my mother. And…she realized what she’d been doing was wrong. The very next day, I went back to the swamplands; I looked everywhere for you…you weren’t there.” Silence. “I’m so sorry, Caelyum,” she sniffled. “I’m…I’m so-” Cael stopped her with a raised hand…and slowly turned towards her. All of you were surprised to see tears in his eyes. “…I just tried to kill you.” “Yes.” “I ran off over this whole misunderstanding.” “Yes.” “All this pain, all this time…and you really loved me?” “Yes.” “And…you…still love me? After all that?” Mia smiled. “Yes.” Cael blinked…then let out a wet laugh. “Wow,” he chuckled. “I…I guess swimming isn’t the only thing we both suck at. I mean…we’re n-not very good at this whole ‘relationship’ thing, either, are we?” Mia shared a sniffling laugh…and the pair promptly ran into each other’s arms. “I’m so happy I found you,” Mia sobbed with joy. “I’ve missed you so much…” “Not half as much as I’ve missed you,” Cael choked. The pair squeezed each other…then backed up, holding each other’s hands and staring lovingly into each other’s eyes. “Play the song you sang long ago,” Cael began. “And wherever the storm may blow,” Mia continued. “You will find the key to my heart,” both finished. “We’ll never be apart.” “Aaaaand…kiss,” you murmured to yourself with a smile, as the pair did exactly that. Tock snorted, rolling his eyes as Grim stuck out his tongue and grumbled something about “soppy mush.” The two lovebirds parted after a few seconds…then seemed to remember you were all standing nearby, and blushed before backing away from each other like scalded cats. “Um…s-sorry,” Caelyum mumbled. “About trying to destroy us, or for that sappy display?” droned Tock. “Because I can forgive one of those…” “It’s the destroying us part, isn’t it?” you guessed. “Yyyyep.” Cael hung his head and shuffled his feet guiltily. “…I’ve…had a lot of pain bottled up for years,” he said silently. “And…when I heard she was coming here…I…well…” “It’s alright,” you soothed, moving closer. “I can understand. And for the record, we won’t tell the Headmaster.” “Nya…or Chief Jehan,” Grim added. “Claude Jehan?” Mia spoke up, and tilted her head. “Is he really as scary as they say back home? The Ashengrottos and Leeches have a LOT of stories to tell.” “I’d imagine,” you snickered. “And no. He’s not that scary.” “Right. He’s WORSE,” Tock responded. “Amen,” you and Grim chorused. Mia gulped nervously; Cael chuckled softly, smiling at her with puppy-eyed affection. “I…hope he’s not going to be at the play tonight,” she said slowly. “Trust me, you’ll be fine,” you soothed. “Well, we won’t be if we don’t get there on time!” Grim reminded you. “We’re already behind schedule, thanks to all this!” “The hairball has a point,” nodded Tock, stiffly, then grumbled under his breath: “I still say it’s all for pansies, though…” All of you chuckled…except Mia, who took Cael by the hand. “Can…can he come, too?” she asked, shyly. Cael looked shocked, as did Grim and Tock. You just smiled wider. “If he wants to,” you answered. Cael blinked…then grinned so wide his face nearly seemed to split in two. “Please!” he nodded eagerly. “Then come on!” you called, and gestured for the reunited lovers to follow. “Let’s get moving before my pay gets docked! I have a pet to feed, you know!” “I AM NOT YOUR PET!” snapped Grim, while Tock cackled with amusement, snapping his fingers and resuming his humanoid form. Caelyum De Macabre and Mia Corazón just smiled and squeezed each other’s hands, following at a steady pace. It took longer than it should have to reach the theater, in the end, but you still made it in the nick of time. When asked why it took so long, you had an honest answer: Cael and Mia were so busy staring into one another’s eyes with everlasting love, it made getting there quickly difficult. In your mind, and theirs, it was more than worth it.

 The End

[just-a-whumping-racoon-with-wifi]

Reinforced - Lee

[Boo-yah babey I’m back]

CW; dislocation, sadistic whumper, contortionism, body horror honestly. This is just a little more intense 

The boy was trembling, holding his elbows. He was still wearing his costume, hair damp from sweat. The sounds of the other circus acts filled small tent with distant music and cheers. His teeth chattered in the humid air.

“Sir, s-sir please. Can- how, how to do I prove to you that I’ll behave? Please give me a chance to prove myself. Please?”

The Ringmaster smiled and straightened his long coat. So eager to please. Perfect. Of course he would be, he would never accept anything else.

The boy had done his act flawlessly again. It was always fascinating to watch him contort his body into something that seemed… inhuman. There were plenty of supernatural in this show, but Lee wasn’t one of them. He was just another human performer with nowhere else to go. Raised here, born before the Ringmaster had bought the company.

The wind blew a bar of music and a rush of the crowd from the big tent. He didn’t have much time before he needed to introduce the next act, but that was part of the game, now wasn’t it? The limited time only made every movement deliberate and sweet.

Just another rush.

“Now Lee, you know what I say about obedience.”

Lee’s eyes fall closed and he shivers. “That, that it has to be re-reinforced.”

Fat, heavy tears roll down his face and the Ringmaster soaked in the sight of them. He would call them crocodile tears, but he knows they’re not.

The crowd cheers and brings him back. Tick tock, the clock is counting down. He takes a deliberate step towards the boy and he shudders. He curls his hands close against his chest, hunching his shoulders a little to protect them.

He knows the game, too.

“It hurts.”

Its barely more than a whisper, but the man hears it. He hears it and allows the shadow of a smile to glaze over his lips. Lee’s eyes are closed, and besides - he knows anyway.

“I know,” says the Ringmaster calmingly, sickeningly, as he takes another step forward. Stalking. “I know it does, but we can’t have you trying to run away again.”

Lee chokes on a sob. How many nights, how many years had it been since he had tried to run? Regardless, he nods. He knows; and god does he regret it. He’s regretted it for years, and his waking nightmare is that he will regret it for years to come.

How long will it take before the Ringmaster tires of this game?  

“Hand.”

The man is standing in front of him know, Lee’s eyes fixed on the man’s shoes. It feels like someone has wrapped a band around his heart and it is squeezing him to death. The terror, the fear never lessens. They never dull.

“Please. Please let me do it,” he whines softly. He can pull the joint out carefully, he can make it hurt so much less. If he’s lucky, maybe not even at all.

There’s no answer. Lee knows there’s a time limit, he knows that the Ringmaster will get rushed and then there will be no comfort, no pauses. Trembling, he offers up his hand.

The Ringmaster grins and takes the hand gently, brushing his fingers down the back. He wraps a hand firmly around Lee’s wrist, and the other around the boy’s thumb. Lee bites his lip, fighting with the fire under his skin that is screaming at him pull your hand away.

The man tugs sharply, and the joint abused from nights and nights of this game gives. Lee gasps harshly, but it’s nothing. Nothing compared to what’s coming. Without prompting he lifts his other hand. The Ringmaster smiles and takes it lovingly.

Lee begged to prove his obedience but doesn’t seem to realize he does every time.

The process is repeated on his other hand, and Lee judders out another gasp. The Ringmaster holds the boy’s hands for a moment, brushing his thumb back and forth to sooth, before squeezing harshly. Lee keens, knees going slack.

The Ringmaster never lets him fall.

“Good job, you’re doing so good tonight, Lee.” The boy sobs, leaning his head to rest in the center of the man’s chest. It hurts, it hurts and it’ll only get worse, but there’s a single moment where at least he can be distracted by the kind words.

A length of rope is brought up and used to tie his hands tightly. Once, one time, he dislocated his thumbs to try and escape the cuffs. One time, but one time was enough for it to be added to the game. A precaution as the Ringmaster calls it.

Lee calls it torture.

His hands throbs and the rope cuts into his wrists as the man pulls him close to his chest. The man lays a hand across the boy’s dark hair and wraps the other around his waist. He breathes deeply, contentedly,  while Lee cries into his woolen coat and ignores the pressure on his poor hands.

The moment is brief, and when the man pulls him away there’s a new look of fire in his eyes. He seizes high on the boy’s arm, just below the shoulder joint, and raises the grip of his arm around Lee’s chest. A violent yank, and Lee cries out through his sobs.

His legs give out completely, and the Ringmaster brings them both down to their knees. He brushes strand of fine hair out of the boy’s eyes, admiring the tears on his face and listening to the pitiful, half spoken pleas.

“Just one more,” he murmurs, feeling the shiver his words produce. “Just one more and you’ll be done. You’ve done well, Lee. Can you do that for me?” Lee’s response is only more cries, but the Ringmaster accepts it just the same.

He only shudders when the hands come again. Another wrench, another sickening pop for deep inside his body, and screams. He can feel his voice grate in his throat. The pain is overwhelming him, oppressing him into a weeping ball on his knees. The hands disappear, and he’s drifting. Drifting and alone and in agony.

A hand cards in his hair and lifts, forcing him to stand. Once he’s on his feet, the hand doesn’t leave. It stays. It stays, and it pulls him backwards. Backwards and down, bending farther and farther until his spine lays atop itself. Only then does the hand slip away.

Lee takes a controlled breath as he takes in the world upside down. The worst part is over, now. It hurts, it hurts more than anything else, but the sharp, terrifying part is over. This stretch is normal for him, dark hair brushing the ground next to his ankles. His shoulders burn and pull and buzz like insects, but he can breathe through the consistent pain. The sharp, anticipated pain is what he fears.

He can find focus in moments like this, and the pain can fade as he focuses on balance and breath.

The Ringmaster’s hand grabs his hair once again, now his bangs, and pulls him through his legs. The world rights itself, and he adjusts, whimpering as he brings his dislocated shoulders around and his hands in front. Tears that were trapped by gravity glide down his face in abundance, but he can’t let himself feel them right now.

The Ringmaster lays a hand on his taunt stomach. “Down.”

Lee folds his knees and lowers his chest down to the floor. Once he’s on the rug, he tucks his legs under his chin and nuzzles his aching hands with his nose. He closes his eyes and listens to his own breathing, counting.  He can’t break down, now, he can’t cry. He needs to focus on breathing, on counting. Feeling small is a comfort to him, always has been. When he’s open, he’s vulnerable. But when he’s folded and compact, he’s safe. Small and safe and unseen. He pulls himself a little tighter together to stifle a sob that would wrack him.

The Ringmaster stands above the twisted form, observing every jerk and spasm. Time is almost up, but Lee is focused now, hiding deeper inside his head.

No matter. It’s just as enjoyable to unfold him slowly after the performance.

He taps the crate with his shoe, reminding Lee of where it is. Lee shudders in his compact form, but inches back towards it. Once inside, the Ringmaster comes around front and pets his cheek gently. Yes, to comfort him, but also to watch the mesmerizing shudder. It’s a sight to behold; a body so contorted shudder.

He closes the lid and straightens his coat. Time has come for him to introduce his next act, and the smile on his face is as genuine as it will ever be. It’s been fed by weeping and fear, thoughts still wandering to little Lee waiting for his return.  

[gotmilk5101520]

Trollhunters: Tales of Arcadia Watch Episode 1 Becoming Part 1

So i watched the series back in December. “So it’s a Rewatch?” Not exactly. By the time this gets posted, months have passed. If anything, it does have a lot of my thoughts from when i first watched it and some jokes on shit that happens in the future. And some jokes i made in my Miraculous Ladybug Rewatch will be on here as well (If you’re fans of ML then check out my Rewatch to get some of the references. I made a master list of all the episodes and it’s pinned)

“Good morning, Arcadia Oaks. It’s 4:30 a.m. If you’re still in bed, you are missing the most beautiful sunrise, clear skies and a beautiful morning ahead” Hey i may live in California, but i’m not getting up at 4:30 am to see a sunrise.

So this is what that Grumpy Old Troll, who lives under the bridge, from Dora the Explorer does when they don’t go to his bridge.

So the sun hurts trolls like how the sun hurts demons in Demon Slayer. Only instead of the sun disintegrating them to dust, it turns them to stone.

“No. The amulet will find it’s champion. And with it a bunch of trauma for the new champion”

Hey he did say...

“I’d rather die”

I’m surprised that punch didn’t destroy the bridge.

Hate to be the poor unlucky sap.

Oh hey speaking of poor unlucky saps!

I feel you Jim. You had set something perfectly. And than someone moves it a little and you need to fix it.

“Raccoons!” Fucking Raccoons.

“What’s life without a little adventure?”

“Come on Tobes. Don’t you ever want a little more excitement?” Says you.

“James... Lake”

Not everyday you hear a pile of stone talking to you.

“James Lake”

“It’s a pile of K-spar. Minerals don’t talk” Wait so did Toby also hear it?

And now your life will be fucked over.

“Hello. I’m listening”

We should turn this into a meme.

Nothing to see here.

“The Peloponnesian War was actually three wars fought between Athens and Sparta” “THIS IS SPARTA!!!” “Why do i even bother”

Wait so they’re not boyfriend and girlfriend? Not yet? This better not be another Miraculous Ladybug bullshit. I can take it in Miraculous Ladybug, but not in another series.

Hey isn’t this the teacher that’s dating Jim’s mom so i heard? Well he does seem nice.

“So close!” I feel you.

“Buenas noches”

“You speak Spanish?” Hey his Spanish is better than mine.

“You like monsters?”

“What?” “Shakespeare! I said Shakespeare”

“You talked to her? and you didn’t go “Blah blah blah!” like Marinette?”

“Like, actually spoke to her? Not just, you know, in your head? Like Marinette?” “Toby, we don’t live in Paris”

“You should totally do it”

“What? The play? I’m not an actor”

“Come on. You’re always saying how you want your life to be more exciting”

“I don’t think Romeo and Juliet is exactly the answer, Tobes” Actually it is.

“I don’t mean just, you know, exciting. I mean...”

“More”

“I just need to know that there’s something more to life than high school” Okay, Belle. You want more than this provincial life.

Nothing to see here.

Ah so this is what Kim and Max would be like right now with the old bully and nerd trope.

“So, where were we? Um... Oh, yeah, okay”

“You were telling me about the monsters you saw this morning”

“With fangs and...”

“What was it, again?”

“Stone for skin! In the canal!” Sounds like a normal person to me.

“Yeah. Just go crazy”

“In 20 years, you’ll be fat and bald and you’ll be working in a muffler shop”

“And Eli will have a career in software and he’ll be a billionaire like Jeff Bezo” “Fuck Amazon”

“Friday, at noon”

“You and me”

“Tick-tock. Tick” The final countdown.

Wait it was sunset here.

And it’s night when Jim gets inside? I’m confused.

“Come on! Talk again, or you are going up on eBay. Or worse than eBay. Amazon”

“Master Jim!”

“Aaahhh! Aaahhh!” Hey i get like that too when someone calls me.

“I am known as Blinky”

“Hi”

“Aaarrgghh!”

“It’‘s Aaarrrgghh. Three Rs” Some things need to be corrected.

“Aahh!”

“He says “Aaahhh!” a lot”

“It’s more of a yelp, i believe”

“A greeting, perhaps”

“Aaahhh! Aaahhh!” Scream to greet.

“Master Jim, you have been chosen”

“The Amulet of Daylight challenges you to ascend to the most sacred of offices”

“Orifices? What orifices?”

“Offices. It means responsibility”

“Unbeknownst to your kind, there is a secret world, a vast civilization of trolls lurking beneath your very feet, hidden from view”

“Tro... Tr-Trolls?”

“Trolls. Yes, trolls”

“And it is now your charge to protect them”

“For you, Master Jim, are the Trollhunter”

“Trollhunter”

“This honor is yours to accept”

“So what say you?”

“Is that a yes?” It’s more of a “Can we come back to this later? It’s been a rough night”

“Actually, unbelievable. Completely unbelievable”

“As in, you won’t believe me, but i’m telling you it’s true”

“I promise you it’s true” When you saw the imposter vent or kill someone in front of you and you try to tell everyone at the meeting.

“Tick-tock. Tick-tock”

“How did he know i was here?”

“Hey, thanks for the advice. I like talking to you”

“Always” I think Jim has a really good father fig-

Huh?

Uhh what?

“For the glory of Merlin, Daylight is mine to command” Can’t we shorten this to i  don’t know “Glory, Daylight!!”

Have a random cat.

And Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon.

Mid air T-pose.

Can we make it smaller, so it can fit him?

Much better. Thanks.

Can we make that smaller too, so he can wield it?

Much better. Thanks.

The Sword in the Stone.

Come on. Pull it out like King Arthur oh wait.

From one stone to another.

“It’s been taken”

“You failed. You let it go. Your father will be displeased”

I spoke too soon. Well this is more shocking than Gabriel being Hawkmoth.

“I know where to find it”

“I believe the amulet has found it’s champion”

Let the trauma begin.

Save the opening for the end of the episode cause why not?

Great now i gotta do research on who this is.

And now we get the credits.

Well, time for Jimbo’s Bizarre Adventure to begin.

[cecilspeaks]

168 - Secret Blotter

Life is 10 per cent what happens to you And 90 per cent false memories of what you think happened to you. Welcome to Night Vale.

In an effort to bring more transparency to the Sheriff’s Secret Police, a chronicle of one night’s dispatches will be released to the public. This action comes at the behest of the City Council, who voted unanimously on a resolution to ban plastic bags.

Now, OK, while those two things may not seem related, Sheriff Sam misunderstood the vote as a rallying cry against tyrannical surveillance and a personal threat, involving being thrown to the pit of vipers behind the bowling alley. Sheriff Sam, who has a paralyzing fear of vipers, proposed a compromise in which Secret Police dispatches would be temporarily divulged, so the public can get a better idea of what agency does and how tax dollars are being spent. A plan which was readily accepted by the Council, though they continued to roll their eyes and gnash their teeth and chant softly: [creepy voice] “Viper pit! Viper pit! Blessed be the viper pit!” Which is just how they express a “yay” vote on procedural issues.

As a result, Night Vale has its first ever police blotter. Let’s dig in. 9 o’clock PM. Missing person reported inside the Ralphs. Night manager on duty says employee went to stock some cases of Lime-A-Ritas in the new walk-in beer cave and never came out. Reporting officer thoroughly checked beer cave and confirmed it was deserted. Three cases of the beverage were left haphazardly in the middle of the floor, and a loading dolly had tipped over onto its side. Manager states employee originally brought in four cases. Manager added one missing case of Lime-A-Ritas to the report. When asked if this kind of thing has happened before, manager changed subject and asked if officer would like to look at some of the children’s drawing contest submissions. Officer was amenable to this request.

9:16 PM. Noise complaint. Dog barking in an unknown language annoying residents. Dirty white fur, human face. Gone when officer arrived on scene.

9:25 PM. Two underage residents attempted to sneak into an R-rated movie by pretending to be one tall person in a trench coat. When confronted by officer, they turned into a swarm of flies and dispersed.

10:01 PM. Noise complaint. A sound resembling television static was being emitted from a shower drain out in the Hefty Sycamore trailer park. When recorded and played backwards, it turned out to be a broadcast from a 1952 episode of the game show “Beat the Clock”, where contestants competed to see how many pieces they could smash a clock into. A plumber was called.

10:15 PM. A resident of Desert Creek searched for “easy tortellini recipes”, but none of them were easy enough. It was so late already, and they needed to get to bed soon, but they were also very hungry and needed to eat dinner first. They wanted something quick, but they also wanted a real dinner, not a false dinner like… cereal? They became hyperaware that the more they deliberated on what to make, the longer it was all taking. And factoring in the decision-making time on top of the meal prep time was becoming additionally stressful in relation to the desire to get to bed soon.

11:30 PM. A Coyote Corner’s swimming pool filled with blood and began swirling furiously in a counter-clockwise direction. Home owner appeared distressed. Officer advised home owner to drain pool.

11:31 PM. Multiple residents awoke in a cold sweat from the same dream. It wasn’t necessarily a nightmare, but it was definitely not pleasant. The only thing they could recall afterwards was that it was showing, and that there was a tree with seven limbs.

12:00 AM. Witches.

2:00 AM. That time of night when everything starts getting hazy. Were you headed to a crime? Checking a surveillance station? Listening to a wiretap? Going home? Returning to headquarters? Signalling an invisible helicopter? Sometimes you lose track. An old local legend comes into your mind, and you try to recall the details. It’s been so long since you heard it. You watch the headlights bounce along the dirt road ahead, and your eyes begin to play tricks on you, sensing movement in the dark margins where the light doesn’t penetrate. You turn off the lights and slow the vehicle. They weren’t tricks after all. There is movement here, a dark writhing mass entering the roadway. You are forced to stop the car. Eyes flesh open in the dark. Many sets of eyes. This isn’t part of a half-remembered legend. This is something very, very real.

More of the blotter soon. But first, let’s have a look at traffic. You’re hunting in a pack near the Old Highway. The smell of blood is in the air. Headlights bounce over the rise and your stomachs rumble. The moon flees behind the clouds and you fan out, along both sides of the road, moving parallel to it like a lazy river. The car approaches and slows. It shuts off its headlights, as you knew it would. Some of you push ahead to the car, blocking its path. Others move to the rear and others remain at the sides boxing it in. You converge, surrounding it more tightly the door opens, then closes again, the fleshy creature inside cursing softly. You hear a crackle of radio static, but you know it is inconsequential to you. You consume the metal shell first. There are explosions of air and the hiss of leaking fluids. Then the glass, crunchy and cool in your collective gullet. And finally, the screaming delicacy in the center, the cloth-wrapped package of meat and bone. There are other things afterward, less enjoyable, but consumable nonetheless. Papers and electronics, and the pleather, and cold French fries in the back. Nothing must remain. By the time the moon emerges from the clouds, the old highway will be deserted once more. This has been traffic.

And now a word from our sponsors. Today’s show is brought to you by TickTock. The only app that tells you exactly how long you have left to live. The sleek countdown display synchs easily with all of your devices, so that you can check your mortality at a glance. The premium edition provides additional details, such as manner and location of death, and updates to the minute, as you make different choices throughout your day. You’ll find yourself asking questions like, why did returning a library book just subtract 4 years from my life? How did leaving late for work change my final outcome from drowning in gulch to birds of prey? Why does it say “tomorrow” all of a sudden? [panicking] It must be some kind of glitch, right? OK, OK, I’ve updated the app but it still hasn’t changed. It still says “tomorrow”. I just got checked out by a doctor and they said I’m in great shape, I’m staying home from work, I’m not answering the door, I’ve closed the blinds and I’m sitting on the couch, surrounded by pillows, not moving, not even blinking, I’ve done everything dammit, EVERYTHING!!! WHY DOES IT STILL SAY “TOMORROW”???!! Tick tock. Tick tock. Tick tock. This has been a word from our sponsors.

Back to the Sheriff’s Secret Police blotter. 2:30 AM. Responded to an officer distress call on the Old Highway. No sign of officer or vehicle found. Must have been a false alarm.

3:15 AM. Nude man ranting in middle of old highway, carrying a case of alcoholic beverages. Identified as the night shift stocker at the Ralphs. Claims he entered the walk-in refrigerator at work, reached up to place the case of beverages on the shelf, and abruptly found himself in a network of ice caves. He eventually climbed up a snowy mountain where he met a robed figure he refers to as “The Oracle”. “The Oracle” foretold of a hungry darkness with a thousand eyes and urged that the portal must be cloooosed. The Ralphs employee also reported that “The Oracle” had slurred speech and seemed unsteady on its feet, and may have been inebriated. After this exchange, he then found himself standing in the Sand Wastes nude. He does not know where his clothes are. Officer escorted man back to the Ralphs to finish out his shift.

3:35 AM. Domestic disturbance. “He won’t stop practicing the flute!” a Cactus Bloom resident reported, indicating his dopplegänger who stood in the corner of the bedroom, staring unblinkingly at the wall and playing the same halting scale on a wooden flute. Officer advised resident to take a melatonin and try to get some sleep. “If he doesn’t stop, I can’t be held responsible!” the sleep-deprived resident threatened. “Sounds fair,” the officer agreed and left the premises.

4:00 AM. An alarm clock went off in Old Town. A woman attempted to get out of bed, but her cat walked sleepily onto her person and began purring, preventing her from rising. Her cat is elderly and the woman knows its number of purrs are finite and must be honored. Eventually, she put on coffee and took a shower. She used Herbal Solution shampoo for a lifelong dandruff condition, though she has not seen any improvement after years of using the products. She continues using it, because she likes the way it smells. It smells medicinal, like it’s helping, and it does tingle, like the label promises. The tingle means it’s working, the label says. So it must be working.

And now a break form the police blotter for some sports news. Night Vale High School – go Scorpions! – has added a concession stand to be used during sporting events. The parent-teacher association proudly unveiled the new stand at last week’s baseball game, dedicating the plywood structure to the memory of favorite AP auto shop teacher, Nick Teller. Teller reacted with confusion at this news, as he is still alive. “Oh, of co-, no, of course you are,” the PTA responded awkwardly, “but we just wanted to honor – your memory, as in what a great memory you have. You-you know how you’re really good at remembering stuff? We just wanted to, yeah uh, honor that,” the PTA went on, seemingly unable to stop explaining themselves, whilst standing in front of the dedication plaque, which featured several doves, a Celtic cross, and an image of clasped hands. Teller admitted he does have an excellent memory and is very honored. The following concessions are available at the Teller memorial stand: Special allowances, the granting of rights, the acceptance of certain things as truth, the yielding of certain other things as untruth. Also, RC Cola and popcorn.

Oh, which reminds me, we actually have another word from our sponsor, Royal Crown Cola. Invented by Ferdinand the 1st, king of Naples, who built a museum of mummies inside his palace to house the bodies of his slain enemies. “I am parched from building this museum of mummies,” he famously said, and the rest is history. RC Cola – the drink of ruthless monarchs.

In local news, I have the results of the Ralphs drawing contest. Local school children were encouraged to submit a drawing to the store this week, depicting their favorite Ralphs product. I’ll start with the runners up. The third place drawing comes to us from Ella Snider, a student from Night Vale Elementary, and it shows a large black scribbled mass with a lot of eyes on it, with the Ralphs building on fire in the background. Very creative, Ella!

The second place drawing comes from Jace McCoy, also from Night Vale Elementary, and this one also shows a black mass with many eyes and a big bright red splatter of blood across the page. Nice use of color, Jace!

And the grand price winner comes to us from Heather (Fathusam) [0:16:52] of Daggers Plunge Charter School. Her drawing features a beautiful black mass with lots of lovely eyes, and it’s holding a box of store brand frozen pizza rolls. Congratulations, Heather!

Back to the blotter. 4:01 AM. Distress call from the Ralphs. Upon arrival, officer was pulled into the manager’s office. The employee from the earlier incident was also present, huddled under a desk. Manager frantically indicated the surveillance window that looks out into the store, which he normally uses to spy on shoppers and report on what they are wearing for his Customer Fashion newsletter. Shelves of products were being knocked over and consumed by a vast dark nothingness. The back of the store then burst into flames. The manager implored the officer to quote, “Do something, please, or we’ll all be killed!” Officer used the intercom system to tell the nothingness to vacate the store immediately, and advised it of trespass and vandalism laws. The nothingness took the form of many dark shapes with many eyes. A tank of fresh seafood exploded and numerous shellfish were damaged. Officer advised the shapes that they were all under arrest. “Stop talking to it!” the manager cried and knocked the intercom mic out of the officer’s hand. Approximately 1000 eyes turned to look at the office window. Interesting. Well.

Let’s have a look at that weather.

[“Best Friends” by Curtains: https://curtains.bandcamp.com/]

4:35 AM. Situation escalated at the Ralphs. Officer, manager and employee embraced one another under the office desk amid the shattered glass of the surveillance window. The building trembled around them, products flew through the air, half the inventory was sucked into oblivion, and a great fire blazed, spreading to the bakery section. After doing an estimated 200,000 dollars worth of damage, the darkness and its many eyes entered the beer cave and did not come back out. Officer investigated the beer cave and found it to be empty. “You have to shut down the cave!” the Ralphs employee implored the manager. “That’s its doorway to our world!” The manager hedged and responded that a big heat wave was coming and if they hoped to recoup any of their losses, keeping the beer cave open was going to be instrumental to the store’s survival. “People will spend big on frosty cold beverages,” the manager responded. “Not to mention they’re gonna like standing around in there for a nice cool-down.” The employee wrapped his robe tightly around himself. Oh, the manager had lent him the robe, one of the many fashion items the manager kept in his collection, since the employee still didn’t know where his clothes had gone. “OK,” the employee said. He picked up a Lime-A-Rita and guzzled it down in one continuous gulp. Then he said, his voice already a little slurred: “I’ll have to try to shhhhtop it myself.” He ran into the beer cave and promptly vanished.

5:40 AM. Tree with seven limbs seen growing out of a hole in the vacant lot out back of the Ralphs. Snow observed on the branches, which melted off quickly as the sun rose.

5:45 AM. Real pretty sunrise.

Well, that concludes our Secret Police blotter. I dunno about the rest of you, but I personally feel a lot more safe and secure getting a closer look at what our Secret Police do. On behalf of Night Vale Community Radio, thank you for your service. I’m sure we will all rest a lot easier knowing that our fate is in your hands. Our sleeping bodies are under your watchful eye, and our every thought and action is being monitored for the greater good. As Secret Police mascot Barks Ennui always says: Stay tuned, stay, vigilant, report your neighbors. Woof. Woof.

Good night, Night Vale, Good night.

Today’s proverb: Six out of seven dentists have no idea where that seventh one disappeared to. Honest, they all have rock solid alibis and that blood could have belonged to anyone.

[randomoneshotsblog]

𝗣𝗥𝗢𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗘𝗦

Summary: V doesn’t get back from the fight with Urizen.

Warnings: none (V/Vergil x reader)

Words: 946

Author’s note: This will be continued, stay tuned🥰sorry for any typos.

I was at the store, sat on Dante's desk reading a magazine. So, here's what happened.

I'm Y/N, Dante's daughter... Too soon? Yeah, technically I'm not his 'daughter'. He found me when I was alone, wandering in the streets, homeless.

My parents were killed by a demon, called by Mundus. At first I was a little suspicious about Dante but he told me that he was also a demon but a 'cool' one. With that i told him what happened with them. He informed me that Mundus was dead. I was relieved, of course.

The term 'daughter' came because Dante helped me get better and gave me a family, Nero and also V, that today is my boyfriend. But i see Dante more as a brother.

Dante, Nero and V got out a few weeks ago to fight Urizen, while I'm taking care of the store.

I'm worried about them. This Urizen guy - also a demon but powerful - is dangerous. I asked Dante for me to go too, but what can a mere human do, right? So, i accepted, hesitanting but still.

There was also Vergil... But i don't like to talk about him. That guy makes me shiver, his fight for power, he kills and does everything for more power. Above all that he's Dante's brother.

Shaking my head, i think about V. His tattooed body, his dark hair, full lips, green eyes and ah his voice. I miss everything about him. I miss being close to him. I sigh, moving on the chair.

Suddenly, i hear the door open, I look up and see Dante on the door.

"Dante! You're back!" I get close to him while he nods and puts his hand on his hair, frustrated.

I frown.

"What's going on? Did something happen?" Dante raises his eyes to me.

I don't like this.

I see another person entering the store...

Vergil!

"What is he doing here?!" I say loud enough for Vergil to raise his head towards me. I go towards Dante.

"Dante, you know i don't tolerate him." i point to Vergil. In his eyes, i see... Sadness?

"Y/N, be careful with your words." i look back at him, confused.

I chuckle. " What?" He sighs while Vergil stays behind his brother.

Suddenly, my attention goes to another person. I look at Dante, confused.

"Dante, where's V?" I ask, my voice trembling.

Dante and Vergil look at each other, making my heart beat faster.

I approach Dante.

"Dante, where is V? Answer me, damnit!" i hit his chest but doesn't make him even flinch. He takes my wrist in his hands.

"Im sorry, Y/N." He says that like it was nothing, my heart beats faster, and I feel myself tired of all this, why do I always lose the ones that i love? I look down, ready to break down in tears.

Why did Vergil came back but not my V?

I turn to Vergil, full of anger. I go towards him, lifting my finger to him. I don't understand but his eyes aren't cold like they used to be. There's warmth in them but i shake that away.

"Why are you here? Haven't you destroyed enough lives already?" i spit out my anger. Vergil doesn't answer, he just looks at me, serious.

"V did came back, Y/N. Just not as you expected." Dante says , behind me. I freeze, not understanding what that meant.

I feel a hand on my shoulder, i turn around and Dante invites me into a hug.

"I don't understand..." i whisper. Dante puts his chin in my head while rubbing my back.

I back away from the hug, looking serious.

"Care to explain? I also want to know what hell is he doing here. So tick-tock." i say as i go towards the desk and lean on it.

Dante puts his hands on his face.

"V is a part of Vergil, Urizen too." i widen my eyes. I look at Vergil who's very interested in his shoes in the moment.

"So, the man that i fell in love was actually... A lie. Wonderful." I look to my lap.

I can't belive this. My life can't be normal for even a second, not when you live with demons.

I don't know if i can do this. V is gone. But he promised he'd come back.

I tear up.

"Y/N, come on. You know that's not true." I feel an anger rise in me. I step away from the desk.

"Dante, do you hear yourself? Why are you defending him?" i point to Vergil. "You said it yourself, he's bad. He just wants power." I feel Vergil's eyes burning in me.

"He's changed. Now that V returned to him, he fell in love with you. V is him, he always have been." He says getting closer. I shake my head and cross my arms.

"Are we talking about the same person here? Earth to Dante. We're talking about the MONSTER that was trying to destroy the city a few hours ago." I say harshly to him.

"It's very clear that he isn't V, Vergil is bitter, kills people for his on good, V wasn't like that, you know that." i murmur, not caring if Vergil is hearing every word. I'm tired of this.

I just want to go my room and cry, knowing i won't ever feel V with me again.

"Y/N, just give him a chance." I turn my head to Vergil. Brown eyes mets blue eyes. He's nothing like V but he has his own charm, I'll give him that. But he's not the one for me.

I look away and run to my room, upstairs. I need sometime alone. This is all crazy.

[lordiedams]

The Ink Demonth (2020)

(Tumblr didn’t let me post it sooner but well its finished!)

AO3

Fandom: Bendy and the Ink Machine

3 - Work

Grant didn’t consider himself a workaholic, he loves his job to a certain, normal, degree, thank you very much. But that didn’t stop him from doing his best every step of the way.

 Right now, inside his office, the accountant was hunched on his table, working on the brand-new load of paperwork that Joey had given to him at the start of the week.

The tick-tock of the clock was what took his focus away, his head aching from the non-stop work he’s been dealing with. Grant yawned while looking at the adorable, but terrifying-looking Bendy Clock on his wall signaling 3:25 AM.

A soft growl came from the back of his throat, he’s been inside the studio for almost three days now, and by the looks of it, he will stay the fourth one as well.

Deciding to save his own sanity for a tad longer, the man got up from his chair, stretching and wincing at the noises his poor backbones did and walked out of his own office. The corridors were quiet after all was almost 4:00 AM and most of the workers were home, on their own beds. Oh, Grant envied that so much right now.

Making his way upstairs, to Heavenly toys, the Toymaker Mr.Flynn was still working as well, his bloodshot eyes from too much work without a single blink of an eye, his hands tremble while he painted the Alice Angel Doll in front of him.

 ─ Good… Too early-day, Shawn. ─ Said softly the Accountant. The Toy Maker finally broke eye contact with the piece of toy to look at him. It didn’t matter how sleep deprived he was, Shawn Flynn always would give everyone his best, although tired, smile.

 ─ Mornin’…─ He said in between a yawn. Grant gave him a pitying look; both knew that look very well.

 ─ What’cha doing here? Though’ you went home fer the nigh’

 ─ I would ask you the same, but I believe we both would have the same answer. Too much work, too little time. Will bring you a coffee on my way back.

 He brighter smile came to Shawn’s face, the toymaker nodded and went back to his own work, letting the older man continue his path upstairs.

 He ended up getting to the music department in a few minutes and surprisingly, there was more movement there than he expected. Looking around the place, he could see Sammy Lawrence at his own table by the end of the hall through the gap of the window he had there, eyes focused on the music sheet in front of him, Grant decided not to bother him if not necessary.

 Norman Polk was also still there, sitting on floor corner by the window with a projector on his lap and a dozen tools around him, practically drooling all over it he fell asleep on top of the machine. The accountant knew that Joey has been cutting corners to prevent another red line on the studio’s bank account, but he could at least give the man a damn table!

 By the looks of it, most of the essential staff was still there, forced to work non-stop day after day, night after night. He didn’t want to see how the situation was inside the cartoonist’s booth.

 He got to the old cafeteria, poor Wally was sleeping on one of the benches by the right, with Thomas also napping on the left, everyone was having a horrible night by the looks of it. He managed to get a tray with some hot coffee cups from the kitchen of the place.

 Making his way back, he stopped by Sammy’s window.

 ─ I’m not a mind-reader but I believe this right here has been in your mind for a little while.

 Sammy looked up from his music sheet, getting up to the window and grabbing one of the cups.

 ─ You have…Absolutely no idea. Thank you, Cohen. ─ Affirmed the music director, taking a long sip of the hot drink and finally sighed softly.

 Grant nodded before making his way to the sleeping projectionist. He nudged him with his tray, Norman woke up with an annoyed grumble but accepted a cup the moment he noticed that it was Grant Cohen and not Sammy Lawrence or Wally wanting him to move from his spot.

 ─ Thanks. ─ Exclaimed the tired man while watching the accountant go back downstairs, before taking a generous gulp of the drink.

 This was basically a routine for the studio employees, Grant was there long enough to understand that. The one who wakes up earlier inside the Studio has the job of bringing the coffee for the rest of the staff and believe or not, that happens almost daily.

 Joey Drew was a cold man, his money was a ‘must’ while his staff’s health was a ‘maybe’ on his book, he would do anything to anyone to make sure he was still profiting.

 Four cartoons to be finished in less than a week, meaning four different songs and sound effects to be produced in that same week, more pressure and work on the backs of the poorly paid artists and music department staff members.

 Then he decided to create an entire machine just to produce Ink, more money spend, they were almost on the red line again, but Joey still wanted Grant to make it happen anyway.

  The pressure was so much that poor Henry left as soon as he could, meaning a handful of new artists were hired to fill his enormous place on the production of the cartoons, more people to pay, even less money.

 His solution was cutting corners of it.

  “We don’t need mechanics besides Mr. Connor. Polk can handle the projectors by himself!” He would say, piling more work on his projectionist to fix all the machines by himself.

 “If the money is short, will make more toys to sell!” And there it goes poor Shawn Flynn’s weekend off.

 “We just need to be faster on the production! Is not that difficult, they can do it!” No. They can’t.

 Grant sighed, smiling at the tired toymaker before handing him a cup as well. It was a simple way of showing that no one was alone inside that poorly managed hell that was Joey Drew Studio. Sitting back on his own chair, he glanced over the stack of documents by his right, it was just too much to deal in so little time, but he had to manage. None of them could lose their job, not in a moment like these, not during a crisis, not when the entire country depended on studios like these to make people laugh, make people feel safe on a moment that isn’t.

 They needed to keep working, even if that kills them.

[dialovers-translations]

DIABOLIK LOVERS MORE, MORE BLOOD Vol.12 Mukami Ruki [Track 4]

Original title: 泥と血

Source: Diabolik Lovers More, More Blood Vol. 12 Mukami Ruki [CD not owned by me]

Audio: Here

Seiyuu: Takahiro Sakurai

Translator’s note: In this household we DO NOT stan a rude man. >(( Ruki keeps roasting the poor MC in this, treating her with 0 respect. I know Diabolik Lovers has always been a dark fantasy with plenty of abusive behavior towards Yui/the MC but I still can’t help but get a weird feeling from this CD. > < It really just feels a little OOC for Ruki to act like this, especially since you are supposed to be dating him by the start of it. Usually the boys have softened up at this point but that is not the case in this CD.

Track 1 ll Track 2 ll Track 3 ll Track 4 ll Track 5 + Epilogue

→  LIKE MY TRANSLATIONS? SUPPORT ME ON KO-FI!

Track 4: Dirt and Blood

The two of you walk through town.

“It is crowded per usual. I cannot stand this noisiness. I do not understand why someone would willingly sacrifice their free time to head outside. Just as I thought, I should have devoted this weekend to reading instead.”

You frown, reminding him that he agreed to join you today.

“I won’t deny that I accepted your offer to head out together. I let you choose the place as well. However, that doesn’t mean I’m actually thrilled about it.”

You sigh.

“If you have the time to get depressed, at least try and entertain me a little. Wasn’t there someplace you wanted to visit?”

You explain.

“I see. You sure love making me go through extra trouble. No matter how many clothes you buy, it will all be for nothing when they end up in shreds. There was this one time you got caught on the thorns of the rose bushes and tore them yourself, no? They have also been ripped up by my brothers after you upset them. Right now, they are wasted every time you are punished by me. In that case, you might as well stop wearing clothes all-together?”

You shake your head in protest.

“Hooh? How come? Have you ever seen a cow or a pig wear clothes? I fail to see why they are necessary to you. It would be much easier to suck your blood without any unnecessary obstacles getting in the way. I dare argue it would be very efficient.”

You pout.

“Sucking your blood, huh...?”

You tilt your head to the side.

“No. I haven’t been feeding off you as of late. I was just thinking how it is somewhat unusual.”

You flinch. 

“Taking your blood is an easy task. However, unfortunately for you, I am not that starved. For one, I already got plenty of your blood just by punishing you. So I never felt the need to seek it out on other occasions. That used to be the case, but for some reason, you have been behaving quite well as of late. By the time I realized, I had consumed considerably less of your blood. While I have to give you credit for lowering the burden on your Master, I am curious what changed this sudden change?”

You grow anxious, trying to explain.

“That is a very vague answer. Oh well. Let us quickly get this shopping over with.”

*TIMESKIP*

“Haah...”

*Cling*

“I never thought we wouldn’t just look for clothes for you, but end up choosing something for me as well.”

*Clatter clatter*

“Let me tell you just in case, but I already have everything I need to survive provided to me. There isn’t a single reason for me to buy new clothes. On top of that, I doubt you are capable of choosing something which would suit my tastes. If you understand that, let’s just head back already.”

You show him an outfit. 

“How stubborn. ...You want me to wear this? It reminds me of Yuma’s work clothes. Not my style.”

You insist.

“When would I ever have the opportunity to wear this formal suit? Are you going to organize a banquet every night from here on out?”

You continue looking for clothes.

*Clatter clatter*

“So this won’t end until I give one of them a pass, huh? Hand it to me.”

*Rustle*

“I’ll try them on at least. If that’ll satisfy you, we’re heading straight home afterwards.”

*TIMESKIP*

“...What? Stop looking at me with that dumb expression. (1)”

You continue to stare.

“What is the problem? If there is something you have to tell me, then just say so. Noー I think I know already. You’re satisfied with yourself, aren’t you? Because you got me to wear the clothes you picked out. Not only did you make me purchase it on a whim, but you forced me to wear them right away. If this is your way of tormenting me, you’re doing a pretty good job. You’re making me walk around in the clothes you forced upon me. In one of the busiest parts of the city, on top of that. Haah...I see. I suppose this is your way of spicing up your everyday life.”

You shake your head.

“Hooh? That’s not it? Then why would you do this?”

You explain. 

“So that’s your reason? You call it ‘matching’, but it’s simply clothes from the same brand, no? You are a rather cheap woman if simply walking together wearing these is enough to satisfy you. ...However, I suppose it is fine. It would be a drag to get changed again now. I’ll play along with your little game until we get home.”

You smile, walking besides him.

“What are you so happy for? I’m saying I’ll keep up with it until we’re home. I don’t remember sharing your opinion on this matter.”

You chuckle.

“Don’t make me repeat myself every time. You can be your merry self all you want, but please don’t assume that this is making me happy as well. Also, watch where you’re going. Be mindful of what you’re carrying in your arms as well. Don’t forget that you’re the one holding the clothes I was wearing prior. The underground is still wet from the rain. If you were to drop them, they’d end up covered in mud. Watch your steーー”

You accidentally drop the clothes.

*Splatter*

“...Haah...I didn’t think you’d drop them as if on cue...”

You panic, trying to pick up the clothes.

*Rustle rustle* 

“No need to panic. I am not upset. ...You’re being surprising attentive. It’s because of what I told you earlier, it must have made you worry and therefore you made such a foolish blunder, right?”

You frown, confused by his words.

“When I told you that I have not sucked your blood as of late because you simply haven’t been making very many mistakes. For you to create an ideal opportunity yourself shows your strong devotion towards your Master. However, I understand why you would. I am sure you must be feeling horribly lonely now that I barely get any opportunities to punish you. I can understand why you would try and upset me on purpose like this. A foolish act such as staining my clothes with dirt, that is. ...In that case, I shall treat you hard-handedly just as you wish.”

Ruki grabs hold of your arm.

*Rustle*

“I’ll give you my fangs amidst this crowd. If you fail to suppress your voice, you will be the one getting the weird looks. Show me how well you can endure it.”

You try and offer an alternative solution.

“Yes. You are right that we can simply wash the clothes to clean them. However...that would not change the fact that you dirtied my clothes through a simple slip of the hand. Above all, it is something you pulled because you wanted me to punish you, no? So don’t be modest and accept it.”

*Rustle*

“...I’ll at least do you the favor of sucking from a spot which isn’t very visible. Although I won’t hold back.”

*Smooch*

You flinch.

“What’s wrong? Your breathing has already gotten ragged. You are so shameless, getting worked up over the thought of having your blood sucked. Aah, I suppose that’s not quite right. You’ve had your desires neglected, haven’t you? In that case, I shall quickly give you your reward. Go ahead and writhe in pain.”

Ruki bites you.

*Sluuuurp*

“Mmh...Nn...”

*Gulp*

“...Haah...Phew...Seems like you managed to hold back your voice. However, your new clothes have already been stained by blood. That is exactly why I said you have no use for those. It’s still seeping in...Shall I rub it around? Dyeing your clothes with the color of your blood does not sound like such a bad idea.”

*Rustle*

“You’re letting your voice slip...Aren’t you used to the pain by this point? And above all, this is something you wished for yourself. Why not seem a little happy instead? ...Or is touching the wounds simply not enough to satisfy you? In that case, I shall pierce the same spot with my fangs once more.”

You beg for his mercy.

“Your face looks awful. However, it’s not bad. While we’re out shopping, I’ll use this opportunity to look after my livestock who seems to have gone in heat. I’ll tend to these wounds, as many times as you want.”

*Smooch*

You lose the strength in your legs, falling to the ground.

*Thud*

“Heh...Such a small stimulus did the trick? You’re overreacting. Besides, did I not tell you that the ground is still wet? Yet you chose to sit down yourself. Did you want to play in the mud, perhaps? In that case, I shall push you down, effectively covering you in dirty. Go ahead and cry about, bathing in the mud and your own blood...!

You pull out the hourglass.

*Cling*

*Tick tock - Tick tock - Tick tock - Tick tock*

ーーー

...

“So that’s your reason? You call it ‘matching’, but it’s simply clothes from the same brand, no? You are a rather cheap woman if simply walking together wearing these is enough to satisfy you. ...However, I suppose it is fine. It would be a drag to get changed again now. I’ll play along with your little game until we get home.”

You come to a halt.

“What are you doing? If you stand still, you’ll get lost in the crowd. ...Did you forgot to buy something, perhaps?”

You shake your head.

“I see. Let us hurry home then. Also...You’re clutching onto those way too tightly. I assume you’re being careful not to drop my clothes. However, you’ll wrinkle them. Just hold them regularly. What are you being so cautious for? No...I suppose they would end up covered in mud if you were to drop them. Which means that was a very wise decision on your part. I am surprised you managed to think of that with that lacking brain of yours.”

You pout.

“On second thought, you have been far too smart as of late. Like a rabbit who skillfully moves around a trap. It seems like clever wild animals are actually capable of avoiding traps set up for them. Don’t you think your current situation is very similar?”

You remain quiet. 

“...I suppose I should have kept that to myself. Well then, let us head home. I want to enjoy a good book once we’re back.”

Ruki starts walking away.

ーー TO BE CONTINUED ーー

Translation notes

(1) Ruki describes her face as 締まりのない or ‘shimari no nai’ which literally means ‘slack’ or ‘sloppy’. In Diabolik Lovers, they often use it whenever the MC is smiling at them.